The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused President Bola Tinubu of selectively applying the rule of law to favour his allies, particularly Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.
In a statement issued yesterday, HURIWA’s national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, criticised the alleged disregard for legal rulings and the apparent complicity of security agencies in enabling such actions.
The group noted that MC Oluomo defied a recent Court of Appeal ruling that upheld Ibikunle Baruwa as the legitimate president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
Instead, MC Oluomo reportedly forced his way back into office despite a previous National Industrial Court ruling affirming Baruwa’s leadership and ordering him to pay N100,000 in costs.
HURIWA alleged that the Tinubu administration has tacitly supported such defiance, pointing to the inaction of security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The group also cited other instances of impunity, including the controversial extension of the Inspector-General of Police’s tenure through retroactive legal amendments.
The association criticised the silence of the presidency on MC Oluomo’s threatening statements during the Lagos gubernatorial elections and alleged that his tenure has been marked by violence and internal crises, often with police support.
HURIWA warned that tolerating such actions undermines Nigeria’s democracy and erodes public trust in its legal system.
It called on President Tinubu to ensure justice is upheld irrespective of political affiliations.