By Aminu Mohammed
Amnesty International’s recent call for the Sokoto State Government to drop charges against a young local alleged home video actress reflects a troubling pattern of selective activism. While the organization claims to be a defender of justice and human rights, its glaring silence on critical human rights issues, especially in the Souhtheast and Northern Nigeria exposes a troubling bias.
Consider the detention of underage children and their placement in the dock recently—an incident that went unremarked by Amnesty. Similarly, a naval officer was allegedly secretly detained by his boss, denied due process and later dismissed from service without public scrutiny or recourse. These egregious human rights violations received no condemnation from Amnesty. Why the silence? Why the selective outrage?
The recent frenzy against the Sokoto State Government is another example of Amnesty’s skewed priorities. At the heart of this controversy is a petition filed by the state government against a fraudulent actress named Hamdiya masquerading as the owner of a rescue Non-Governmental Organization.This individual, through false claims and inciting videos, attempted to manipulate public emotions and tarnish the state’s reputation. However, her true character was exposed when villagers in Sabon Birni, a village in Wurno local government area of Sokoto state publicly disowned her. This came about a week after a respected Kanny wood actress disown her pretentious claims to providing salvation to Sokoto villagers in bandit-ravaged communities.
Instead of lauding the Sokoto Government for taking legal steps to address incitement and misinformation, Amnesty International and its allies have chosen to vilify the state. One must ask: Why is the petitioner—the state government—being attacked for following due process?
Particularly disturbing is the involvement of UK-based lawyer Bulama Bukarti, who is a known PDP apologist joining the chorus of the vicious politically motivated attacks against Sokoto. His actions, like those of others in this orchestrated campaign, appear to prioritize partisan interests over truth and justice.
Moreover, Amnesty’s silence on the billions extorted by bandits from Northern families under the guise of “taxes” for farming is baffling. These are real, devastating human rights violations. Families are impoverished, livelihoods destroyed, and countless lives lost, yet Amnesty seems unmoved.
Equally glaring is Amnesty’s inaction on the Southeast’s infamous “no-work on Mondays,” imposed by non-state actors. This imposition has crippled livelihoods, forced businesses to shut down, and deprived citizens of their fundamental rights to work and provide for their families. How is this not a blatant violation of human rights? Amnesty has failed to address the plight of those who suffer under this unofficial, unlawful directive.
In Kano, the government once demolished buildings officially allocated to citizens, leaving many without recourse. Again, Amnesty chose silence, showing a disturbing inconsistency in its advocacy. Is Amnesty a genuine human rights organization or merely a political tool serving selective interests?
The Sokoto State Government acted within its rights to petition for an investigation into an inciting video. Such actions are not only lawful but necessary to ensure peace and stability in a region already grappling with insecurity. The criticisms against Sokoto Governor also reek of political motivations aimed at discrediting a government committed to maintaining order.
Amnesty International’s credibility is at stake. Its selective advocacy undermines its legitimacy and alienates the very communities it claims to protect. If Amnesty genuinely seeks to defend human rights, it must address the glaring injustices perpetrated by non-state actors like bandits and the systemic failures of state institutions that harm ordinary Nigerians daily.
This politically motivated gang-up against Sokoto must be called out for what it is—a deliberate attempt to twist facts and undermine lawful governance. The state government must remain resolute in its pursuit of justice, knowing it is on the right side of the law. Let us not allow bias and selective outrage to obscure the truth.
The Sokoto State Government should be commended for its adherence to due process and its efforts to counter misinformation. Amnesty International and its allies must do better by prioritizing truth, equity, and the real struggles of marginalized Nigerians over politically convenient narratives.
Those behind these campaign of calumny against the person of Governor Ahmed Aliyu and his administration are doing so simply because he has surpassed their thinking in the performance index. The whole drama is on his performance in office within a very short time. We want those with objective minds to assess between today and immediate past yesterday before taking decides
