HURIWA Makes Case for Southern EFCC Chairman

*Urges Tinubu to sack INEC chair, RECs

Chuks Okocha and Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has suggested that the appointment of a candidate from the South as the next Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), would address the issue of equity and competence in the leadership of anti-graft agency.

Also, yesterday, HURIWA has asked President Bola Tinubu to dismiss the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu and some unscrupulous Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Commission found culpable of electoral malpractices in the 2023 general election.
Speaking on the choice of EFCC chairman, the group expressed concern that since theestablishment of EFCC some 20 years ago, it had been headed only by persons from the northern part of Nigeria.

National Coordinator of the association, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, in a statement on Sunday, pointed out that the consistent appointment of EFCC’s boss from a particular section of the country, has led to the perception that the position was micro-zoned to the North, depriving equally competent individuals of the South of the opportunity to contribute to the fight against corruption.

HURIWA, therefore, urged Tinubu, whom it described as a prominent leader known for his commitment to fairness and justice, to seize the opportunity to promote equity by appointing a candidate from the South as the next EFCC Chairman.
“Such a decision would send a powerful message of unity and inclusivity, fostering a harmonious and balanced Nigeria. We firmly believe that a candidate from the southern region should be appointed the next EFCC Chairman to ensure a fair distribution of power and showcase the competence of individuals from diverse backgrounds,” it said.

On INEC, HURIWA, in another statement by Onwubiko, said if the president meant well for the country and wanted institutional and electoral reforms established in Nigeria, he should immediately sack Yakubu and his RECs, who betrayed the trust of over 21 million Nigerians that voted in the February 25 presidential poll.
The group said following the suspension of Godwin Emefiele as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Abdulrasheed Bawa as EFCC Chairman by the President, the dismissal and probe of Yakubu for alleged electoral heist in the 2023 general election should instantly follow.

HURIWA, therefore, backed a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba, who said Yakubu has to leave his role as the INEC boss so as not to impede the ongoing electoral reforms in Nigeria.