A civil rights platform, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has rejected calls for the arrest and prosecution of erstwhile Niger Delta militants’ leaders, Alhaji Mujahideen Asari Dokubo, Mr Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), among others, for allegedly threatening violence, should the incumbent president not win in the February 14, 2015 polls.

HURIWA said the call for their arrest coming from a retired General from a section of the country whereby some persons threatened to make the country ungovernable, should President Jonathan win in the 2011 election is sectional, and amounts to selective amnesia and, therefore, must be rejected.

Former Chief of Army Staff and Defence minister, Gen.Theophilus Danjuma (rtd), reportedly made the call in Kano State.

But the rights group said while it has consistently cautioned against the use of intemperate and/or offensive speeches by politically exposed persons, especially in this dangerous season of elections, it will not support the call for the arrest and prosecution of the former militants for exercising their constitutionally protected fundamental rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.

HURIWA, in a media statement endorsed jointly by the National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, and the National Director of Media, Miss Zainab Yusuf, and made available to News Express, also called on leaders of ethnic groups across the country to play the role of a unifying force rather than continue to beat the drums of war. It cautioned political players from every section of the country, and reminded those advocating the selective arrest and prosecution of the Niger Delta Civil Society leaders over alleged use of emotive and/or offensive speeches that sectional political elites in Northern Nigeria have consistently made similar threatening speeches against the corporate entity of Nigeria, but there was no call for their arrest from same quarter.

Citing section 39(1) of the Constitution, which provides that: “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference,” the group advised all political players of diverse affiliations to moderate their speeches, because of the sensitivity of the election season.

HURIWA also defended the recent meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, attended by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Kingsley Kuku and the state governor, during which time the erstwhile militant leaders warned of severe consequences should President Jonathan be rigged out of the coming election.

The association noted: “The Constitution of Nigeria in section 41(1) provides that, “every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons and, in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union, or any other association for the protection of his interest.”

HURIWA averred that it was wrong for some persons to peddle the insinuations that since the Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs attended the said meeting, therefore, President Jonathan sanctioned the alleged threats made by the erstwhile Niger Delta militants. It argued that the President has severally and consistently promised to abide by the decision of the electorate at the presidential election.

•Photo shows Dokubo in his days as militant leader.

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