Group urges FG to halt panic-inducing statements, emphasize leadership

Civil rights advocacy group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised serious concerns over the federal government’s alleged dissemination of information that incites panic and tension among the public.

In a statement released by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA called on federal officials to demonstrate responsible leadership and refrain from spreading unsubstantiated claims and false intelligence about planned peaceful protests against poor governance, corruption, and widespread hunger in Nigeria.

“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should direct his appointees to cease the spread of falsehoods that incite public fear and tension,” HURIWA stated. “The anxiety surrounding the planned nationwide protests set to begin on August 1st has led several government officials to make alarming and unscientific statements, which are completely unacceptable

HURIWA’s comments come in response to a recent appeal by the Minister of State for Youth Development, Olawande Ayodele, who urged Nigerian youths not to let social media content incite violence.

This appeal was made during a courtesy visit by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors of Nigeria, led by veteran Nollywood actor Zack Orji, in Abuja.

According to HURIWA, the government’s dissemination of misinformation aims to undermine the constitutionally guaranteed right to peaceful protest, contributing to the public’s heightened state of fear.

“The minister’s claim that opponents of the government are spreading false information is not entirely accurate,” HURIWA noted. “Even the National Bureau of Statistics has officially designated Nigeria as the poverty capital of the world, with over 133 million people living in multidimensional poverty