Foreign Sponsorship Allegations are ‘Government Magic’;- Says HURIWA, Demands Action on Igbo Genocidal Threats*

In recent developments, whilst stoutly denouncing the disjointed, illogical and unreasonable calls by some riotous mobs in a section of the Country for a military regime which it believes is nonsensical and absolutely unacceptable to millions of Nigerian democrats, pro-democracy and Non-governmental body: the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has also dismissed the Nigerian government’s unproven allegations that foreign entities are sponsoring the End Bad Governance protests.

According to HURIWA, these allegations are baseless and serve as a diversion from the pressing issues facing the country, because according to it, no Nigerian who is financially in distress and severely famished, would wait for a foreigner to dictate to him/her that it is time to peacefully protest and ask government to ameliorate their plight.

HURIWA said those calling for a military intervention are enemies of democracy and should be made to face the full weight of the law just as the group stated that only through a free, fair, transparent and peaceful electoral process, can anyone or political party gain ascendancy into political power for a tenured period of time as specified by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 as amended. “We therefore urge Nigerians to denounce any call for an unconstitutional change of government”, HURIWA affirmed.

In a media statement signed by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA criticized the Nigerian government’s claims that ongoing protests against bad governance are being financed by foreign interests. These claims, emerging from various official security quarters, have been described by HURIWA as what legendary musician Fela Anikulapo Kuti famously termed “Government Magic.” HURIWA asserted that these allegations are unfounded and are mere conjectures aimed at distracting the public from the real issues at hand.

HURIWA emphasized that the current wave of protests is driven by the severe economic hardship faced by Nigerians, not by any foreign influence. “Since last year, Nigeria has experienced relentless inflation and price instability. Essential commodities have seen unprecedented price hikes, and the government has failed to implement effective regulations to curb this trend. There is no market stability; prices of essential commodities such as rice, garri, and cement have skyrocketed, exacerbating the already dire economic situation.” HURIWA has also described those riotous looters of public or private assets, goods, as enemies of peaceful protests who are agents who made themselves as willing tools to discredit the #End bad governance protests. HURIWA expects that those caught looting public or private assets should be charged to court and punished in accordance with the provisions of the law.

“The scarcity of fuel, despite Nigeria being one of the largest oil producers in the world, has been particularly alarming. For months, Nigerians have struggled to obtain fuel from filling stations, while black market operators thrive, selling fuel at exorbitant prices even in the Federal Capital Territory. This situation indicates the government’s failure to manage the nation’s resources effectively.”

“Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) corroborates our stance on the economic crisis. According to the NBS Selected Food Prices Watch (May 2024), the average price of 1kg of local rice rose to ₦1,608.89, indicating an 189.79% increase from ₦555.18 in May 2023. Similarly, the price of 1kg of brown beans increased by 219.05% year-on-year from ₦629.75 in May 2023 to ₦2,009.23 in May 2024. These figures illustrate the severe inflation affecting essential commodities, further debunking the government’s foreign sponsorship narrative.”

The association questioned the logic behind the government’s assertion that foreign entities are behind the protests. “Is it foreigners who need to tell Nigerians that it is high time they protested the unprecedented hike in fuel prices? Is it foreigners who caused the scarcity of fuel?” HURIWA asked. The organization further argued that the protests were a natural response to the government’s inability to provide basic services and stabilize the economy.

HURIWA asked: “Does any Nigerian need to wait for a foreigner to tell him/her that due to the poor economic policy of government by floating the rate of the national currency, that the Naira has become worthless thereby instigating instability in prices of commodities and manufacturing firms hitherto operating in the country are closing down because millions of Nigerian families in multidimensional poverty have no purchasing power and thereby not buying the products of these firms?”

HURIWA considered the government’s allegations an insult to the intelligence of Nigerians, highlighting that by suggesting that Nigerians cannot recognize their suffering and need foreign influence to protest, the government is belittling the citizens’ capacity for independent thought and action. “These fabrications coming from government quarters that foreigners are behind these protests are mere lies. Nigerians have been pushed to the wall, and that’s why they are reacting by protesting,” the association stated.

Rather than concocting false narratives, HURIWA advised the government to focus on addressing the real issues plaguing the nation. The association stressed that the government should prioritize economic policies that will restore price stability and improve the living conditions of Nigerians, underlining that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must take immediate action to stabilize the naira and control inflation.

In addition to debunking the foreign sponsorship allegations, HURIWA also addressed the threats against Igbos in the South West of Nigeria, stating that the recent statement by the Lagos State Government condemning these threats is seen as a step in the right direction. However, HURIWA believes more concrete actions are needed to ensure the safety of Igbos.

The association highlighted that the federal government, the pilice, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies must take decisive action to identify and bring to justice those behind the xenophobic threats. “The President’s statement that the law will deal with those planting Igbophobic posts on social media must be followed by clear directives to the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of DSS to act swiftly and publicly against these hate crimes.”

HURIWA underscored that Nigeria is bound by international laws against genocide and crimes against humanity. “The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide of 1948 mandates the prevention and punishment of genocidal acts. This includes conspiracy, incitement, and attempts to commit genocide.

“According to the Genocide Convention, genocide is defined as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. These acts include killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, and deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction,” HURIWA noted.

HURIWA called on the Nigerian government to take urgent steps to stabilize the economy, protect the rights of all Nigerians, and ensure that those inciting violence and hate are brought to justice. The association maintained that the government must take immediate and decisive action to address the economic crisis and protect vulnerable communities from genocidal threats.

“Only by addressing these core issues can the government hope to restore trust and ensure the nation’s stability. The Nigerian government must fulfill its domestic and international obligations to protect its citizens and uphold human rights,” HURIWA concluded.