Amanze Chinonye
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused President Tinubu’s administration of perpetuating systemic marginalisation of the Igbo and the South-East region, alleging bias in federal appointments, public service recruitment, and infrastructure development.
At a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, faulted the secrecy surrounding the ongoing 2025 Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recruitment exercise and demanded full disclosure of all candidates who participated in the Computer-Based Test (CBT), including their scores and states of origin.
Onwubiko warned that any attempt by the NCS to conceal recruitment details would amount to a violation of the principles of fairness and federal character as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Join our WhatsApp Channel“If the list circulating online is fake, where then is the authentic version? Nigerians deserve to know the truth. Those who sat for the recruitment examination have a right to see their results and how they were evaluated. Anything short of transparency is unacceptable,” HURIWA said.
The rights group said it had received complaints about a purported shortlist that appeared skewed in favour of certain regions. It argued that the NCS must publish the authentic recruitment data to dispel public suspicion and restore confidence in the process.
According to HURIWA, “Opacity in recruitment is not just a bureaucratic flaw; it is a constitutional infraction. The Customs Service cannot be funded by taxpayers from all parts of the country yet conduct its employment exercises like a private estate.”
Beyond the recruitment issue, HURIWA accused the Tinubu administration of deepening ethnic imbalance and exclusion of qualified Igbo officers from key government positions, particularly in the security, revenue, and economic sectors.
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Onwubiko cited the one-year tenure extension granted to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, alleging that it blocked the promotion of an Igbo officer next in line. He also referenced similar extensions in the Nigeria Police Force, which, he claimed, prevented senior Igbo officers from attaining top positions.
“These actions violate the spirit of the Federal Character principle and sustain a culture of ethnic preference,” he said.
HURIWA further condemned what it described as “selective justice” in the Federal Government’s handling of security issues, contrasting the release of “repentant terrorists” in the North with the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“President Tinubu’s government continues to negotiate with terrorists in the North-West and release so-called repentant insurgents, yet Nnamdi Kanu, whose alleged offences are non-violent, remains in custody. This is a glaring double standard that must end,” HURIWA stated.
The association also took aim at prominent Igbo politicians within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Minister of Works David Umahi, accusing them of “undermining the South-East through self-serving politics.”
HURIWA alleged that the two leaders had failed to use their influence to attract development to the region, saying their detachment from local realities stemmed from the fact that “their children reside abroad, far removed from the insecurity and poverty affecting their home states.”
The rights group further accused the Federal Government of neglecting the South-East in infrastructure development, pointing to deteriorating federal roads and the absence of major projects since 2023. It also condemned the demolition of Igbo-owned properties in Lagos, describing it as “economic victimisation aimed at weakening the Igbo entrepreneurial base.”
HURIWA demanded a judicial inquiry into the Lagos demolitions, a publication of all federal appointments and tenure extensions under the Tinubu government, and the establishment of a National Commission on Inclusion and Equity to monitor compliance with the federal character principle.
The group’s claims underscore growing discontent in the South-East over perceived political and economic exclusion. Analysts say such accusations. if left unaddressed could deepen regional mistrust and strain national cohesion at a time when the country is grappling with multiple economic and security challenges.
HURIWA concluded by warning that Nigeria’s unity cannot be sustained on a foundation of inequity and exclusion.
“President Tinubu must realise that no region can be perpetually subjugated. The Igbo have contributed immensely to Nigeria’s growth and deserve fairness, not tokenism,” Onwubiko said.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
