The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) urged President Bola Tinubu to select a southerner as the next Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This is stated in a statement signed by HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, and made accessible to journalists in Owerri on Monday.

HURIWA expressed worry over the EFCC’s repeated appointment of individuals from Northern Nigeria as Chairmen since the commission’s inception.

According to the group, this trend has led to the notion that the job is micro-zoned to the North, denying equally qualified individuals from the South the opportunity to contribute to the fight against corruption.

The association praised Tinubu as a distinguished leader known for his dedication to fairness, justice, and equity, and urged him to demonstrate this by nominating a candidate from the South as the next EFCC Chairman.

“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.

“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.

HURIWA also stressed the need of national institutions like the EFCC reflecting Nigeria’s diversity and promoting inclusiveness.

It asked for the nomination of the EFCC chairman to be based on merit, competence, and a track record of fighting corruption.

Additionally, it advocated for the nationalisation of the EFCC Chairmanship to provide equitable representation from all areas of Nigeria.

HURIWA thinks that by increasing transparency and confidence in the appointment process, Nigeria can boost its battle against economic and financial crimes and establish a more inclusive and united nation.