HURIWA DISMISSES NANS, SHINKAFI CALLS FOR MATAWALLE’S SACK, URGES STUDENTS TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION CRISIS

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has dismissed recent calls by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and a former governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, for the sack of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, describing the attacks as politically motivated and diversionary.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, HURIWA described the threats of nationwide protests by NANS as reckless and far removed from the core mandate of a student body. National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko accused NANS of acting as political errand runners rather than advocates for students’ welfare and the improvement of Nigeria’s failing education sector. HURIWA advised NANS and its leadership to “return to classrooms and lecture halls” and refocus on issues that directly affect students, including poor funding of education, decaying infrastructure, incessant strikes, and the alarming decline in academic standards.

“The duty of NANS is not to issue ultimatums to the President or to campaign for the sack of ministers. Their responsibility is to defend the interests of Nigerian students whose future is being mortgaged by poor budgeting for education,” HURIWA said in the statement. The rights group noted that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has consistently raised concerns about inadequate funding, stressing that these are the areas where NANS should be deploying its energy. “NANS should stop grandstanding and playing to the gallery of politicians,” the statement added.

On the criticisms from Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, HURIWA described his interventions as overtly political and driven by partisan interests. The group pointed out that Zamfara State remains a hotbed of intense political rivalry and that Shinkafi’s comments must be understood within that context. Onwubiko stated that Shinkafi’s repeated attacks are linked to growing fears within rival political camps that Matawalle could emerge as a strong contender in the 2027 gubernatorial election. “When Shinkafi speaks on Matawalle, Nigerians must listen with discernment. This is not a neutral intervention,” HURIWA said.

The association warned against the politicisation of security matters, urging all actors to allow due process and evidence-based assessments to address security challenges. HURIWA reaffirmed its position that criticism of public officials must be anchored on facts and national interest. Onwubiko called on Nigerians to remain vigilant against attempts to manipulate public opinion through politically driven narratives, insisting that both students’ bodies and political actors must act responsibly in the interest of the nation.