The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) on described President Goodluck Jonathan’s reactions to incidents of insecurity and strikes by the Boko Haram sect as irritating.
They also reminded him that Nigeria did not vote for a “Saint Jonathan” but a politician who vied for an elective post, got it and got sworn into office to protect the lives of the citizens and their properties.
The group said it had become lamentable that the president is continually churning out statements upon statements instead of thinking up ideas that would bring the much needed peace.
HURIWA was particularly put aback by a statement issued by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, which cursed the perpetrators of the mass killing of about 29 pupils and teachers in Yobe State at the weekend, saying they would go to hell. The group asked the president to stop his sermons as he is not a priest.
Signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko and its National Media Affairs Director, Zainab Yusuf, the statement released by the group described the president’s statement as showing a level of fear or panic.
The group asked the government to become very proactive and come up with functional and more effective strategies for combating terrorist attacks as well as attacks by herdsmen in some parts of the country.
“Nigerians elected and swore in President Jonathan and not saint Jonathan,” HURIWA wrote. “Therefore it is not in the place of the president of Nigeria, a constitutional leader, to dictate who will go to hell or not but it is the duty of the president to provide security of lives and properties of Nigerians.”
It urged the government to be focused, decisive and constitutional in the fight to combat terrorism.
“Government must protect Nigerians from this unwarranted violence that is spreading like wild fire. Perpetrators of mass killing must be charged before courts of competent jurisdiction and prosecuted by patriotic and professionally competent officials from the office of the Federal Attorney General.
“We are sick and tired of hearing sermons from the presidency each time that bloody pogrom takes place,” HURIWA said, rejecting any plans to release suspected Boko Haram members by the presidential committee set up to find a solution to the problem.
It also condemned the growing impunity, which is gradually becoming a characteristic of the country, saying this is an area that the government must critically look at while urging for a comprehensive review of the law reform and the criminal justice administration in the country.
The group said a possible solution rests on effective multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional mechanism to be collectively implemented by the Federal Government and other tiers of government as well as stakeholders.
It also urged that the Federal Ministry of Justice be compelled to always make available proven evidences that could help in the prosecution of suspected terrorists instead of the current situation where such prosecutions are frustrated
