The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised serious concerns over what it perceives as entrenched bias against the Igbo ethnic group in President Bola Tinubu’s recent appointments.
HURIWA alleged a continuation of the “winner takes all” system, favouring Tinubu’s southwest region and leaving other ethnic groups, particularly the Igbo, underrepresented.
According to HURIWA, an analysis of Tinubu’s appointments, as revealed by activist Deji Adeyanju, suggests a pervasive ethnic bias within the administration, particularly in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), where directors were reportedly replaced with individuals from a specific ethnic background.
Emmanuel Onwubiko, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, in a scathing statement, cited constitutional provisions, including sections 14(3) and 147(3) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandate government appointments to reflect the diversity of Nigeria’s ethnic and cultural landscape.
The group emphasized that such biased appointments violate these constitutional provisions and risk exacerbating ethnic tensions.
HURIWA asserted that political interests should not take precedence over the welfare and rights of all citizens, emphasizing the need for impartiality and fairness in governance.
Part of the statement read: “The implications of Tinubu’s ethnically- biased appointments are deeply concerning, as they not only undermine the principles of fairness and inclusivity but also exacerbate ethnic tensions and sow seeds of division within Nigerian society.
“By perpetuating tribal favouritism, Tinubu risks further marginalizing minority ethnic groups and fueling resentment and distrust among different communities.
“By marginalizing the Igbo and other ethnic groups, President Tinubu risks alienating a significant portion of the population and perpetuating ethnic tensions.
“This deliberate exclusion could exacerbate existing grievances and fuel resentment, ultimately posing a threat to national stability and unity.
“As a leader, President Tinubu has a responsibility to govern with impartiality and fairness, regardless of electoral considerations.”
This lopsided appointments is a big issue for Nigeria and will keep going on because most of them have this deep rooted bias and tribalism in their blood, There’s nothing you could say that may change it except when we have strong institutions that will see to these kind of abnormalities to address them. But why is Nigeria presently
in deep trouble and suffering if the only qualified people for key positions are from Southwest? The people and other tribes excluded are not good enough, The ministers for economy, finance, CBN governor and finance directors and very many key positions and appointments were all systematically chosen from Southwest and they’re happy with it as Awalokan/Emilokan, If the suffering Nigerians are subjected to today we’re caused by a president of other region I do not think anybody will still have peace by now, Their media networks would have done more than enough, Maybe there would have been more fierce protests and the people who hail from the region may have been attacked because they will say it’s their brother who caused this hardship, This silent cold tribal war may continue for a very long time in Nigeria because they also have thought other people how to do it