Protests: Heed Matawalle’s advice, uphold Nigeria’s unity – HURIWA to Northern elites

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has urged Northern political elites to heed the advice of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, by upholding the unity of Nigeria.

This call comes amidst growing concerns over the insecurity in the Northern region and the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, which notably featured demands for military intervention, particularly from the North.

In a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA recalled that just a few months ago, Matawalle had challenged Northern political elites, especially those holding key appointments in President Tinubu’s government.

However, HURIWA expressed concern that Matawalle’s appeal was met with resistance, with reports suggesting that some Northern elites orchestrated street protests against the Minister.

“Such actions, according to HURIWA, not only detract from the collective goal of national unity but also inadvertently sabotage the President’s efforts.

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“With substantial representation, particularly in critical sectors like education—where both the Minister, Professor Tahir Mamman, SAN, and Minister of State, Yusuf Tanko Sununu, hail from the North—it is imperative for Northern leaders to fully support the President’s vision.

“The North’s leadership in the education sector, juxtaposed with its alarming rate of out-of-school children, underscores the need for proactive measures and unified leadership,” HURIWA emphasized.

HURIWA further noted that had the Northern elites embraced Matawalle’s call for total loyalty, the impact of the recent protests might have been less severe, adding that the distressing calls for military overthrow, which predominantly emanated from the North, highlight a discord that could have been avoided through a united front.

Nevertheless, HURIWA believes it is not too late for Northern political leaders to realign their strategies. The association urged the Northern political class to embrace the ethos of loyalty and constitutional fidelity as championed by Matawalle. Such a move, HURIWA asserts, would not only foster national unity but also strengthen efforts to combat insecurity and other systemic challenges.

In a related development, but in contrast to the political discord, HURIWA commended the Ministry of Defense for its remarkable achievements, with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), under the leadership of Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Bello Matawalle.

The association specifically highlighted the significant progress made in the area of defense manufacturing, a sector that has seen considerable growth since the current administration took office.

The association also recognized the recent enactment of the DICON Act 2023 as a pivotal development in Nigeria’s pursuit of self-reliance in defense production.

HURIWA believes that this legislation will further empower DICON to contribute meaningfully to national security and economic development.

The association commended the Ministry of Defense for its commitment to building a robust defense manufacturing sector that meets international standards.