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.
“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
