Rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mike Ozekhome, has stated that former President Muhammadu Buhari should be held accountable for the apparent preference of his successor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to appoint individuals from the Yoruba ethnic group into prominent government positions.
Speaking at a symposium on human rights in Abuja, Ozekhome argued that the ethnic polarization of Nigeria during Buhari’s administration set a precedent that is now being followed by President Tinubu.
Ozekhome criticized Buhari’s eight-year tenure, accusing the former president of favoring northerners and Muslims in key positions, which he described as “northernisation” of Nigeria.
He pointed out that while some northerners now complain about Tinubu’s appointments, they had been silent when Buhari’s administration predominantly favored people from the north.
“I cried, I wrote articles, and even authored a book titled ‘How Buhari Mismanaged Nigeria.’ Despite the evident marginalization of other regions, many supported Buhari simply because he was from their region, neglecting the broader implications for national unity,” Ozekhome remarked.
At the event, themed “Unity in Diversity: Embracing Freedom, Equality, and Dignity for All,” Ozekhome warned those in power not to exploit ethnic and sectional divides for political gain, stressing the need for true national unity.
He also criticized Nigeria’s 1999 constitution, calling for a new constitution that reflects the diverse views of Nigerians from all ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Ambassador Dr. Duru Hezekiah, the IHRC’s Ambassador-at-Large and Head of Diplomatic Mission in Nigeria, spoke on the theme of the symposium, highlighting the importance of embracing Nigeria’s diversity to foster unity.
He acknowledged the challenges posed by ethnic and religious tensions but emphasized that Nigeria’s multicultural composition holds immense potential for promoting national cooperation.
The event also marked the official appointment of new officials for the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) in Nigeria.
