Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has accused the federal government of sliding toward authoritarian rule, citing the arrest and detention of civil rights activists by security agencies.
In a statement on Wednesday, HURIWA said the Department of State Services, Nigerian Army, Police and other agencies were using state power to silence critics and criminalize dissent. It cited the cases of Omoyele Sowore, Mark Chidiebere and others as evidence of an assault on constitutional freedoms.
The group singled out the reported arrest of activist Mark Chidiebere for speaking about the feeding and welfare conditions of troops fighting terrorists. HURIWA described him as a “prisoner of conscience,” noting that similar concerns had been raised publicly by serving and retired military personnel.
“Instead of addressing the welfare crisis affecting troops risking their lives daily, the DSS and military authorities are wasting taxpayers’ money hunting down citizens for speaking uncomfortable truths,” the statement said.
HURIWA called on President Bola Tinubu to cut feeding and welfare budgets for the Presidency, Vice President’s office and top government functionaries by at least 50 percent and redirect the funds to troops in the field. It described the disparity between the living conditions of political office holders and soldiers as “morally indefensible.”
The group also raised concern over what it called growing executive influence over public institutions, including the judiciary, saying it was enabling politically motivated prosecutions.
HURIWA urged the international community, including the UN, AU and EU, to place Nigeria under close democratic and human rights watch. It demanded the immediate and unconditional release of detained activists, an end to harassment of dissenting voices, respect for constitutional freedoms, and independent investigations into alleged abuses by security agencies.
“Democracy dies when citizens become afraid to speak,” said HURIWA National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
