Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has cautioned the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma against shedding blood of innocent citizens of the state over the proposed visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the State on Thursday.
Buhari is set to visit Imo State on Thursday and the State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has declared to deal decisively with those who may want to express their grievances against the President’s style of leadership.
The human rights organization further berated Governor Uzodinma, describing him as a dictator for illegally sealing up banks in the state.
Uzodinma is said to have sealed some banks who were taking security measures by closing their doors to avoid attacks by miscreants who may take advantage of the sit-at- home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
On the proposed visits of the President, HURIWA warned that Uzodinma will be dragged before the International Criminal Court, ICC, in The Hague Netherlands, should anything untoward happen to innocent citizens of Imo state who may stage public demonstration against the visit of Buhari.
The rights group pointed to some sections of the Constitution, which give the citizens the freedom of expression and assembly.
The right group condemned threats by Uzodinma to unleash violence on the people should they attempt to assemble peacefully to protest the actions and inactions of the Buhari government.
Imo State Government had warned IPOB members to stay off during the visit of President Buhari.
Following the announcement about his visit to the South Eastern State, IPOB declared a sit-at-home order on Thursday, threatening that the president is not wanted in any part of the region.
HURIWA carpeted the governor for expecting the banks to open their banks to unforeseen circumstances and to be attacked by hoodlums having allegedly failed woefully to provide security for the residents of the state.
A statement signed by the National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and the National Media Affairs Director Miss Zainab Yusuf, on Wednesday.
The rights group said “the draconian measure adopted by Uzodinma to compel people to risk their lives and open for businesses in the absence of any formidable, credible, reliable, transparent and functional security measures including preemptive, proactive and effective mechanisms enforce by the security forces to protect the lives and property of the peoples, amounts to a violation of section 33 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.”
HURIWA pointed out that the basic functions of the government are providing leadership, maintaining order, providing public services, providing national security, providing economic security, and providing economic assistance.
Lolo Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News writer / September 9, 2021
