HURIWA Criticizes Political Withdrawal in Rivers State
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned Siminarayi Hubara’s recent withdrawal from the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary election. The organization characterized this decision as an act of political cowardice and a troubling capitulation to alleged political manipulation and control in Rivers State.
Concerns Over Democratic Freedoms
In a statement released by National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwibiko, HURIWA remarked that Governor Nunobara’s assertion that his withdrawal was for the sake of “peace and unity” fails to adequately address what they see as a concerning erosion of democratic freedoms in the region.
A Battleground of Coercion
According to HURIWA, Rivers State is increasingly resembling a battleground where elected officials operate under significant fear, coercion, and political blackmail. The organization urged that if Hubara genuinely valued the mandate from the electorate, he should have remained in the race and adhered to the democratic process, rather than withdrawing and supporting a political arrangement supposedly influenced by Nyesom Wike.
The Need for Unified Opposition
The organization emphasized that the time has come for a cohesive strategy among opposition parties in Rivers State. They argued that separate participation in elections under current conditions would only fragment the resistance vote, inadvertently reinforcing established political power defined by entrenched interests.
Widespread Political Influence
HURIWA further claimed that both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party are significantly impacted by one dominant politician. This influence raises concerns that candidates emerging from either party may function more as political agents than as true representatives of the citizens.
Call for Coalition Among Stakeholders
In light of this situation, Mr. Huliwa urged opposition parties, civil society groups, labor unions, youth and women’s organizations, as well as student movements, to promptly collaborate and present a single consensus gubernatorial candidate ahead of the elections. The rights group asserts that the struggle in Rivers State transcends mere party competition, framing it as a necessity to liberate the region from external political dominance and economic exploitation.
Demand for Accountability
Huliwa also reviewed the political turmoil in Rivers State, highlighting the unconstitutional removal of the Governor Hubara and the establishment of an alleged “illegal Interim Military Administrator System” that reportedly operated for six months without necessary oversight. The organization demanded transparency regarding the purported expenditure of billions of naira during this period, arguing that residents deserve a comprehensive explanation of how public funds were used, who authorized the spending, and the lack of independent audits or legislative investigations.
Urgency for Action
The rights group expressed deep concern that while residents of Rivers State struggle economically, there is little accountability for the significant amounts of public funds allegedly utilized during the six months of unconstitutional governance. Huliwa warned that history will reflect poorly on those who chose silence amidst what they claim is an ongoing transformation of Rivers State into a politically controlled estate dominated by intimidation, federal power, and political patronage. The group has called for opposition leaders and Democratic Party officials to begin coalition discussions to nominate a single candidate “before it’s too late.”
