Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu for his recent reversal of dialogue with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). HURIWA, in a statement, characterized this change as a glaring act of political opportunism, where President Tinubu, who had previously pledged to engage in dialogue with IPOB to address their legitimate grievances, now contradicted his earlier commitment.

The statement, signed by HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, recalled that during a town hall meeting in Owerri on November 17, 2022, President Tinubu had assured Igbo leaders that he would adopt dialogue to resolve legitimate grievances of IPOB and other aggrieved parties. “He emphasized the non-negotiable unity of Nigeria while acknowledging the existence of "painful grievances" that required resolution through peaceful means.

“However, President Tinubu's recent remarks at the passing-out parade of Nigerian Defence Academy Cadets in Kaduna revealed a stark departure from his previous stance. He declared his administration's commitment to tackling secessionist elements and counter-insurgency efforts without mentioning dialogue or peaceful resolution. This inconsistency raises serious questions about his credibility and integrity as a leader.

“What made matters more concerning was that this U-turn came at a time when the federal Government was in clear breach of a binding Court of Appeal judgment. On October 13, 2022, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the appeal of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of IPOB, stating that the federal government had violated both local and international laws by forcefully rending Kanu to Nigeria. The court voided and set aside the terrorism charges against him, rendering them “incompetent and unlawful”.

Hence, HURIWA demanded that President Tinubu provide a clear and unambiguous explanation for his change of position on the issue of dialogue with IPOB, highlighting that the Nigerian people deserved transparency and honesty from their leaders, especially on matters as sensitive as national unity and justice. The group found it unacceptable for political leaders to use lies and empty promises to manipulate voters and gain political mileage.

Moreover, HURIWA insisted that the Federal Government must immediately comply with the Court of Appeal's judgment in the case of Nnamdi Kanu. The group also called on the international community to closely monitor the situation in Nigeria, particularly regarding the rights of IPOB members and other agitating groups. They stressed that the world must ensure that the Nigerian government respects the rule of law and human rights in its actions and policies.

Nonetheless, HURIWA acknowledged the complexities of governing a diverse nation like Nigeria but maintained that leaders must uphold the highest standards of consistency and fairness in their words and actions.

“President Tinubu's backtrack on his commitment to dialogue with IPOB raises doubts about his willingness to genuinely address the root causes of the agitation in the Southeast. The Nigerian people deserve consistency, transparency, and a commitment to resolving longstanding grievances peacefully. As a nation striving for progress and unity, Nigeria cannot afford to have its leaders waver on critical issues of justice and dialogue,” HURIWA concluded.

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