The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised concerns regarding an alleged conspiracy to frame prominent opposition figures.
The organisation in a statement on Wednesday claimed that Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties CUPP and Uche Nnadi, National Chairman of the Action Peoples Party (APP), are being targeted in a scheme involving accusations of bribing judicial officers.
This comes in the wake of Ikenga’s vocal stance on the ongoing crises within the PDP, the political crisis in Rivers State leading to the victory of APP in the Local Government Council elections and the recent revelations concerning land racketeering in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko stated, “It is alarming that such a plot could be orchestrated against individuals who are merely exercising their rights to free speech and political expression. This is a clear attempt to silence dissenting voices.”
The association further emphasised that these accusations appear to be a strategic move to undermine the credibility of Ugochinyere and Nnadi.
“We believe this is not just about them; it’s about stifling opposition and creating an environment where truth cannot prevail,” Onwubiko added.
HURIWA called on relevant authorities to investigate these claims thoroughly rather than allowing politically motivated narratives to dictate public perception.
According to the rights group, Maxwell Opara, one of Ikenga’s lawyers, responded to the allegations during a press conference, said “This is nothing but a desperate attempt by those threatened by his advocacy for transparency and accountability. He will not be intimidated. He has reiterated his commitment to exposing corruption within the political system, particularly regarding issues surrounding land deals in Abuja that have raised eyebrows among citizens”.
National Publicity Secretary of APP Ugo Apumaga also weighed in on the situation, stating, “These baseless accusations are meant to distract us from our mission. We stand firm against any form of corruption and will continue our fight for justice.”
His remarks highlight a growing concern among opposition leaders regarding attempts to delegitimise their efforts through smear campaigns.
HURIWA urged citizens to remain aware of these tactics designed to manipulate public opinion and suppress dissent. Any allegations against Ikenga should be dumped in the dustbin where they are meant to be.
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