The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned the alleged attempted assassination of Senator Albert Bassey, the gubernatorial candidate for the Young Progressives Party (YPP), in Akwa Ibom State.
The incident reportedly occurred when Senator Bassey was forcefully chased out of the governorship election Tribunal in Uyo during the last hearing of his petition to void the governorship election result in the 2023 election.
Emmanuel Onwubiko, the national coordinator of HURIWA, issued a statement calling for the immediate removal of the Akwa Ibom State Police Commissioner by the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, in response to the incident.
HURIWA has also expressed support for Senator Bassey’s petition to the President of the Court of Appeal, requesting the relocation of the Governorship Election Tribunal to a safer location in Abuja. They cited threats to Senator Bassey’s safety and the safety of witnesses as the reason for this request.
The group commended Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio for his timely intervention in calling the attention of the Acting IGP to rescue Senator Bassey and his star witness at the tribunal from suspected killers wearing police uniforms. HURIWA also denounced the circulation of fake news claiming that the Calabar division of the Court of Appeal had ordered the arrest and detention of Senator Bassey.
Meanwhile, HURIWA has called for the appointment of a candidate from the South as the next Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The organization expressed concern over the consistent appointment of individuals from the Northern part of Nigeria as EFCC chairmen over the past 20 years since the establishment of the commission.
They believe this trend has created a perception that the position is exclusively reserved for the North, thereby depriving equally competent individuals from the South of the opportunity to contribute to the fight against corruption.
HURIWA appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a prominent leader known for his commitment to fairness and justice, to appoint a candidate from the South as the next EFCC Chairman. They believe such a decision would promote equity, unity, and inclusivity, as well as showcase the competence of individuals from diverse backgrounds. HURIWA emphasized that the appointment should be based on merit, competence, and a proven track record in the fight against corruption to ensure the integrity and public trust of the EFCC.
The organization highlighted the adverse effects of frequent changes in EFCC chairmanship, which have undermined the commission’s credibility and eroded public confidence. HURIWA believes that by fostering transparency and credibility in the appointment process, Nigeria can strengthen its fight against economic and financial crimes and promote a more inclusive and united nation that reflects its diversity.
