Civil rights advocacy group, HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA), has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s recent reconstitution of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) board, labeling it unconstitutional and a breach of a court judgment.
Addressing the media, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, spoke on behalf of a coalition of ten non-governmental bodies, asserting that the President’s move disregards an ongoing legal dispute over the removal of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume as NNPC Ltd Chairman.
In the press release, HURIWA emphasized the importance of the rule of law, questioning the timing of the appointments given the existing legal controversy. They pointed to a Federal High Court judgment declaring Ararume’s removal as wrongful and ordering reinstatement, with damages awarded. HURIWA accused the government of undermining the judicial process and violating the doctrine of ‘sub judice.’
The group called for a reversal of the NNPC appointments pending the appeal in Ararume’s case, urging President Tinubu and the government to respect the rule of law and uphold judicial decisions. HURIWA emphasized the broader implications of such actions, stating that they not only violate individual rights but also threaten the democratic foundation of the nation.
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Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, while addressing the media, emphasized the critical role of the judiciary in maintaining the balance of power among government arms. He warned that the government’s disregard for judicial decisions undermines the delicate checks and balances vital to Nigeria’s democratic system.
