By Harriet Tornguvan
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticised the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and a former governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, over their calls for the removal of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, describing the attacks as politically motivated and a diversion from more pressing national issues.
In a statement issued on Monday, HURIWA dismissed threats by NANS to embark on nationwide protests demanding Matawalle’s sack, branding the move reckless, unserious and outside the core mandate of a student body. The association accused the student union of abandoning its primary responsibility of advocating for improved welfare and better conditions in Nigeria’s education sector in favour of political grandstanding.
HURIWA urged NANS leaders to return their focus to issues directly affecting students, including chronic underfunding of education, decaying infrastructure in tertiary institutions, frequent strikes and the steady decline in academic standards. It warned that continued neglect has left many universities in a deplorable state, with overcrowded classrooms, poorly equipped laboratories and demoralised lecturers.
“The role of NANS is not to issue ultimatums to the President or campaign for the removal of ministers, but to defend the future of Nigerian students whose education is being undermined by poor funding and neglect,” the group stated.
The rights organisation noted that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has consistently drawn attention to the collapse of academic standards and inadequate funding, stressing that these concerns should form the core of NANS’ advocacy. It added that any protest action should be channelled towards demanding meaningful reforms, improved learning environments and better welfare for both students and lecturers.
On the comments by Alhaji Shinkafi, HURIWA described his criticisms of Matawalle as overtly political and driven by partisan considerations rather than genuine concern for national security. The group said Zamfara State remains deeply polarised along party lines, and that Shinkafi’s interventions should be viewed within the context of intense political rivalry in the state.
HURIWA alleged that Shinkafi’s attacks are linked to fears in rival political camps that Matawalle, a former Zamfara governor, could emerge as a strong contender in the 2027 governorship race on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“When issues of security are reduced to political point-scoring, the nation stands to lose,” HURIWA warned, cautioning against the politicisation of sensitive national matters.
The association called on all stakeholders to allow due process and institutional mechanisms to address security challenges, urging that criticism of public officials should be based on facts and national interest rather than partisan calculations.
HURIWA also appealed to student leaders and political actors to act responsibly, stressing that reckless accusations and public grandstanding could undermine national stability and distract from the urgent task of addressing Nigeria’s educational and security challenges.
