The Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has appointed Dr. Musa Aliyu as its new chairman. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has praised President Bola Tinubu for this choice as well as the selection of other team members from various parts of the nation.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the national coordinator of HURIWA, stated, “This is a welcome development that reflects the federal character principle of the constitution and promotes national unity and cohesion.”
He expressed his happiness that Tinubu had taken Nigerians’ advice, especially that of renowned human rights attorney Femi Falana, who had criticised the earlier appointment of two anti-graft agency heads from the South West as a breach of the federal character principle and a danger to constitutional democracy.
Onwubiko praised the president for giving the departing ICPC chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, who is also from the South West, a 90-day pre-end-of-tenure leave and for choosing a qualified and capable individual from the North to take his place.
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“HURIWA urge the president to keep hearing from Nigerians who are thinking about the best interests of the country and who are speaking with wisdom and reason. We also urge him to look into the composition of the other people he has appointed so far and make sure that they represent all of the nation’s regions and ethnic groups.
“The civil rights organisation stated that several areas, particularly the South East and the North Central, have been marginalised and excluded from important positions in his administration, which concerns them. In a nation with many ethnic and religious groups like Nigeria, this is unfair and wrong. For those citizens who feel oppressed and alienated by the government, it can also foster resentment, unrest, and instability.
“We would like to remind the president that he is the leader of all Nigerians, not just his relatives or close political allies. Regardless of their political affiliation, ethnicity, or place of worship, he has a responsibility to respect and defend the rights and interests of all Nigerians. He should avoid making the same error as the previous administration, which was to unfairly assign their relatives to lucrative positions, undermining both national security and growth and the faith of the public in the government.
“We are hopeful that the president would seize this chance to show his dedication to just government, openness, and accountability for all Nigerians. We pledge to help him in his efforts to eradicate corruption and enhance the welfare of Nigerians, and we will work with him to that end. The statement said, “We also congratulate Dr. Musa Aliyu and his colleagues on their appointment and wish them luck in their mission to eradicate corruption in Nigeria.
