A non-governmental organization, Human Life Protection Advocacy Initiative (HLPAI), has called for the immediate removal of Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Mallam Lawal, over alleged acts of economic sabotage and tribal bias.
The demand follows the Minister’s alleged refusal to approve Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) permits for qualified Igbo exporters despite timely payment for the bid.
According to HLPAI’s Imo State Coordinator, Prince Chukwudi Francis Maduba, the refusal is a clear indication of tribal discrimination and a deliberate attempt to suppress the economic activities of a particular ethnic group.
Maduba stated that Igbo businessmen who met all requirements and paid for their permits were being unjustly denied access while people from other ethnic backgrounds received preferential treatment.
The HLPAI coordinator alleged that this was not the first instance of the Minister targeting southeastern businessmen, citing previous cases involving wood exporters who faced similar delays and refusals.
Maduba emphasized that the actions stifle legitimate business operations and contribute to national disunity, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate and remove the Minister from office.
The call for the Minister’s removal is a demand for accountability, with many watching how the Federal Government responds to the growing concerns from advocacy groups and affected business communities.