Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) says President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the leaders of the other arms of government may have cases to answer at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity over continued killings of Nigerians by armed groups.
Others listed by the group include Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Mohammed.
According to a Friday statement in Abuja signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said that these leaders have failed in their primary responsibilities of securing Nigerians.
It said Buhari appeared to have abandoned his oath of office as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces which required him to deploy the military to crush suspected Fulani herdsmen killing innocent Nigerians in many local communities across the country.
“The failure of President Buhari to effectively put an end to these cocktails of well-coordinated violent uprising by suspected Fulani herdsmen who are on rampage in diverse Nigerian communities in the North West; North Central; South-South states of Delta, Akwa Ibom and the recent killings in Benue State by armed Fulani herdsmen amounts to a constitutional breach on the side of the president.
“The failure of the National Assembly to pass a binding resolution acknowledging the ongoing civil war by armed herders against Nigeria is a serious dereliction of legislative duties, which should lead to the impeachment of both the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila,” HURIWA’s statement read in part.
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The group said it behooves the National Assembly to remove Buhari if he has proved incapable of carrying out his duties.
“This bloodshed can’t continue forever. The killings are way too much and life has become too cheap under this government. This is genocide and must be seen as such. We will drag all the leaders of the different arms of government to the ICC if no step is taken by 76 hours to stop the killings and try these killers.
“The primary responsibility of government is the prevention of mass killings and the enthronement of security of lives and property of the citizenry. This government has failed,” HURIWA further stated.