The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to consider a southerner when appointing a new Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the National Coordinator of the Association, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko on Monday.
Expressing concern about the consistent appointments of the Commission’s Chairman from the north, since its establishment, the group urged that regional imbalance needs to be looked into, in the organisation.
According to HURIWA, the micro-zoning of the position to the north has to be stopped, to give room for the southerners to also participate in the activities of curbing corruption in our society.
“It is essential to rectify the existing regional imbalance within the EFCC by appointing a candidate from the South as the next chairman.”
The Association however, described Mr Tinubu as a prominent leader known for his commitment to fairness, justice, and equity, and urged the president to display the same by appointing a candidate from the South as the next EFCC head.
“Such a decision would send a powerful message of unity and inclusivity, fostering a harmonious and balanced Nigeria. We firmly believe that a candidate from the southern region should be appointed as the next EFCC chairman to ensure a fair distribution of power and showcase the competence of individuals from diverse backgrounds,” the group stated.
“It is essential to rectify the existing regional imbalance within the EFCC by appointing a candidate from the South as the next chairman, to address the perception of bias and create a more balanced representation within the institution, the group added.
It however expressed the need for national institutions such as EFCC, to reflect Nigeria’s diversity and promote inclusion while calling for the appointment of the EFCC head based on merit, competence, and a proven track record in the fight against corruption.
Similarly, HURIWA expressed the need for nationalisation of the EFCC chairmanship to ensure equitable representation from all regions of the country.
(NAN)
