The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has advised Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, to refrain from using political theatrics when addressing national security issues.
In a statement signed by the chairman, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group criticized Ribadu’s recent comments, in which he described terrorists as mere ‘rivals’ who are ‘daring’ the President.
HURIWA condemned the NSA for introducing partisanship into the national security conversation, calling it an incorrect and harmful approach.
The rights group argued that the NSA’s assertion that armed non-state actors, who are responsible for the deaths and injuries of Nigerians, are simply challenging the President, was a distortion of the reality of the security situation.
The group also expressed concern over Ribadu’s political tone in discussing the activities of terrorist groups, such as the newly emerging Lakurawas faction.
As reported by DAILY POST, Ribadu had warned that anyone who dares President Tinubu will face severe consequences, signaling his intent to eliminate the terror group soon.
However, HURIWA strongly disagreed with the NSA’s perspective, emphasizing that such a view reduces the broader security crisis to a personal affront against President Tinubu. The group stated that the violent attacks across Nigeria, including those in Sokoto and Kebbi states by Lakurawas, are a threat to the country’s unity and existence, not merely a challenge to the President.
In a statement signed by Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA urged Ribadu to recognize that the nation’s security issues transcend any individual leader. The group stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges are a collective threat to the country’s sovereignty, irrespective of who occupies the presidency. HURIWA further argued that the NSA’s partisan rhetoric detracts from the professionalism needed to address terrorism and other security threats effectively.
HURIWA called for a more appropriate and non-partisan approach to security matters, warning that the country’s stability and future depend on a united, cross-political effort to tackle terrorism and violence.
“To be candid, we think sir, that as the NSA to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that you know very well that our security challenges are not personal issues directed at the person of President Tinubu,” HURIWA’s statement signed by Emmanuel Onwubiko said.
“Our security challenges threaten our continuous existence as a nation irrespective of whoever is in office as the President.
” The most appropriate professional approach is to avoid the use of political rhetoric in addressing security matters because whereas the President will serve out his constitutional term limit and quit, the corporate sovereign state of Nigeria would remain.
“Those who attack Nigerians are not rivals to the President politically, as the NSA’s most recent statement sounded, attackers of Nigerians are enemies of Nigeria as a political entity.”
