The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has slammed President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, describing him as a “tribal bigot” whose utterances are divisive and dangerous to Nigeria’s unity.
HURIWA said Onanuga’s recent remark that detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, will get what he deserves reflects hypocrisy and bias in the justice system, where some are punished for dissent while others are rewarded for hate.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group said, “Bayo Onanuga is the one who deserves to be in DSS custody, not Nnamdi Kanu. In 2023, he incited ethnic hatred when he warned Igbos to stay out of Lagos politics. That was hate speech at its worst, yet he walks free and enjoys presidential privileges.”
HURIWA accused Onanuga of hypocrisy for attacking rights activist Omoyele Sowore and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over their support for Kanu’s release, saying, “He is not the Chief Justice of Nigeria. He has no right to pass judgment from Aso Rock.”
Declaring full support for Sowore’s planned protest to demand Kanu’s release, HURIWA said, “Let the heavens fall, we will come out. Enough is enough. Every right-thinking Igbo person should join this protest.”
The group also recalled that Onanuga’s ethnic tirades during the 2023 elections mirrored those of Lagos transport leader, MC Oluomo, who threatened non-Yoruba voters.
“Onanuga and MC Oluomo are the real symbols of hate speech in Nigeria. They are worse than Nnamdi Kanu because their words caused bloodshed, while Kanu’s were calls for justice,” it stated.
HURIWA urged the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate Onanuga for hate speech, warning that his conduct poses a threat to Nigeria’s unity.
“If Nnamdi Kanu were a Yoruba man, he would not have been held this long. The justice system is weaponised and biased against the Igbo people,” HURIWA added.
The group therefore called on President Tinubu to rein in aides who promote division.
“Before Tinubu rewarded him with an appointment, Onanuga made statements worse than anything Kanu ever said. Yet, he sits in Aso Rock while Kanu is in chains. That is not justice,” HURIWA said.
