The civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has dropped the Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, as the lead speaker at its yearly national human rights lecture.

The body replaced Soludo with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Gregory University, Prof. Uwaoma Uche.

HURIWA did not give reasons for dropping Soludo, as the lead speaker of the dialogue with the theme, ‘Any Nexus Between Political Leadership and Human Rights?’ Other prominent Nigerians expected at the event include the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwobin Musa; the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed; the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba-Marwa, among others.

Prof. Uche said: “Political leaders play a significant role in upholding and promoting human rights through the policies they implement, the laws they enact, and the decisions they make.”

By respecting and protecting human rights, political leaders demonstrate their commitment to the well-being and dignity of all individuals within their jurisdiction.

“Effective political leadership involves ensuring that human rights are not only recognised on paper but also upheld in practice. This includes promoting equality, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, the right to a fair trial, and other fundamental rights and freedoms.”

He added that political leaders should work towards creating a legal framework that protects human rights, as well as mechanisms for their enforcement and accountability.