By our Correspondent
The Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Enugu State Chapter, has condemned what it describes as disturbing reports and viral video footage alleging attacks on members and supporters of opposition political parties in parts of Enugu State.

In statement made avilable to the media by Amb. Chidubem J, Assembly is calling on the Enugu State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to safeguard political activities and ensure a peaceful, credible and inclusive environment ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

The call was made by the leadership of the Assembly, led by Amb. Chidubem JP, State Ambassador of YAN Enugu State Chapter, following what the organisation described as repeated reports of alleged attacks involving political supporters in Akpugo and Obe communities in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State.

“Democracy Must Not Be Defined by Fear”
ķ
Speaking on the matter, Amb. Chidubem JP expressed concern over the reported incidents and their potential implications for political participation in the state.

“We have seen viral reports and video footage alleging that opposition parties and their supporters have been attacked in parts of Enugu State. We condemn every act of political violence, intimidation or harassment, regardless of the political party or individuals involved.”

According to him, political disagreements are an essential part of democracy, but such disagreements must never degenerate into violence.

He stressed that no political party, candidate or supporter should be prevented from freely expressing political opinions, organising meetings, campaigning or participating in the democratic process through intimidation or violence.

YAN Enugu therefore calls on security agencies to conduct an impartial investigation into the reported incidents, identify those responsible where wrongdoing is established, and ensure that the law is applied fairly to everyone.

YAN: Protect the People’s Choice

The Assembly maintains that the 2027 elections must be about the choices of the people and not about who can intimidate, threaten or overpower political opponents.

YAN Enugu believes that the right of citizens to participate freely in political activities is fundamental to democracy. Any environment where citizens become afraid to attend political meetings, support candidates of their choice or express their opinions threatens public confidence in the electoral process.

The Assembly therefore urges all political parties and their supporters to reject violence, hate speech, provocation and political thuggery, while calling on security agencies to remain neutral and professional in protecting all citizens.

“The people of Enugu State must be allowed to make their political choices without fear. Democracy cannot thrive where citizens are intimidated into silence. We stand for justice, fairness, peace and equity, and we will continue to lend our voice whenever these values are threatened.”

Youth Participation Must Not Become a Luxury

YAN Enugu also expressed concern about the financial barriers surrounding political participation, particularly the growing cost of campaign activities.

The Assembly called attention to reports of very high charges associated with billboards, outdoor advertising and other campaign-related activities in some South-East states, including figures reportedly running into tens or even hundreds of millions of naira.

YAN stressed that such reports should be properly examined by the appropriate authorities, particularly where public regulatory or administrative charges could have the effect of making legitimate political participation accessible only to the wealthiest candidates.

Amb. Chidubem JP said:

“If the cost of simply displaying campaign materials becomes extraordinarily expensive, we risk creating a democracy where only the financially powerful can effectively participate. Democracy should give every qualified citizen an opportunity to participate, not create financial barriers that discourage young people and ordinary citizens from coming forward.”»

The Assembly emphasised that young Nigerians should not be discouraged from political participation by excessive or unexplained financial requirements.

Call for Transparency and Fair Regulation

YAN Enugu is therefore urging relevant authorities to ensure that all fees, charges and regulations affecting political parties and candidates are transparent, reasonable, properly authorised and applied fairly without discrimination.

The Assembly further calls on relevant regulatory authorities to review any charges that may unnecessarily restrict political participation, particularly for young candidates and emerging political movements with limited financial resources.

According to YAN, regulation of political advertising is important, but such regulation must not become an indirect instrument for suppressing legitimate political expression.

Our Demands

The Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, therefore calls for:

Immediate and impartial investigation into reported attacks involving political parties and their supporters in Enugu State.
Adequate security protection for all lawful political gatherings, meetings, campaigns and activities, irrespective of political affiliation.
A level playing field for all political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Political neutrality by security agencies, with equal protection guaranteed to all citizens and political actors.
Transparency and fairness in campaign-related charges, including billboard and outdoor advertising fees.
Protection of young people’s political participation, ensuring that financial barriers do not make democratic participation the exclusive preserve of wealthy individuals.
Continuous engagement among government, political parties, civil society and youth organisations to promote peaceful political participation throughout the electoral period.
Our Message to Ndi Enugu

YAN Enugu State Chapter believes that the future of Enugu State belongs to all of us.

The political future of the state must not be built on fear, intimidation or exclusion. It must be built on peace, justice, fairness, accountability and respect for the people’s democratic choices.

We therefore urge all political actors to remember that political power is temporary, but the consequences of political violence can affect communities and generations for years.

As young people, we have a direct stake in the future of Enugu State. We want an Enugu where young people can participate in politics without fear, where candidates can compete fairly, where citizens can freely choose their leaders, and where security agencies protect the rights of everyone equally.

2027 must be an election of ideas, competence and the people’s choice not an election defined by violence, intimidation or financial exclusion.

The Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, remains committed to promoting peace, justice, equity, responsible youth participation and democratic values across the state.

By Our Correspondent

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has struck down four key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, ruling that they are inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution.

The affected provisions are Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) provisions dealing with party membership registers and how political parties select their candidates.

In a unanimous judgment in the case involving Zenith Party and INEC, the three-member panel led by Justice Balkisu Bello Aliyu overturned the earlier decision of the Federal High Court.

The lead judgment was delivered by Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

The court ruled that political parties cannot be subjected to statutory restrictions that interfere with powers guaranteed to them under the Constitution.

Section 77(5) restricting participation in primaries to members whose names appear on the register submitted to INEC was struck down.

Section 77(6) preventing parties from using a different membership register during primaries, congresses and conventions was nullified.

Section 77(7) which could prevent a party from fielding candidates if it failed to submit its membership register within the stipulated period was also declared unconstitutional.

Section 84(2) which limited candidate nomination to direct primaries or consensus was equally struck down.

The Court of Appeal held that political parties should retain greater discretion over their internal affairs, including the process through which they select candidates.

The court did NOT cancel the entire Electoral Act.

It also did NOT abolish the requirement for political parties to maintain membership registers and submit them to INEC.

Only the specific provisions found to be unconstitutional were struck down. (Punch Newspapers)

With the 2027 elections approaching, this judgment could have major implications for how political parties conduct their primaries and choose candidates.

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) expresses outrage over the continued silence and apparent lack of concrete public information concerning the fate of hundreds of citizens abducted during the August 22 attack on communities in Niger State.

HURIWA in a statement signed by it national coordinator,Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko said the reported abduction of about 600 residents of Dekera, Gidan-Zana and Sabon Gida, alongside the reported killing of at least 40 people, represents a grave national security and humanitarian emergency that the Federal Government must not treat as another routine security incident.

The rights group said it is particularly disturbed by reports that families of the victims have received no communication from the kidnappers for two weeks, while government authorities have also failed to provide them with clear information on rescue operations.

HURIWA says Nigerians deserve to know what concrete measures the security agencies are taking to locate the victims and bring them home safely.

The association notes that President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to rescue the hostages but stresses that presidential directives must translate into visible and measurable action.

“A presidential order to rescue abducted citizens cannot end as a statement in the media. Nigerians need results. Families need information. The abducted citizens need to come home alive,” HURIWA says.

The association describes as deeply disturbing the account of a family whose relative is reportedly abducted barely one week after giving birth.

According to reports, the woman is taken alongside her husband and three children, including the newborn baby. HURIWA says such circumstances expose the brutal human cost of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

“What kind of country allows a mother and her newborn baby to disappear into the hands of armed criminals while government agencies remain unable to tell the family what they are doing to rescue them?” the group asks.

HURIWA also condemns the reported destruction of homes and displacement of residents following the attack.

The association says government responsibility does not end with the deployment of soldiers after an attack, insisting that displaced victims require food, shelter, medical assistance and protection from further attacks.

“Citizens whose homes are reduced to ashes cannot be abandoned to the mercy of the rains and hunger. The government has a constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property,” HURIWA says.

The rights group urges the Federal Government, Niger State Government and security agencies to immediately provide families with credible and regular updates on the rescue operation.

HURIWA also demands an urgent investigation into how the attackers are able to carry out what residents describe as a large-scale and coordinated assault resulting in mass abductions and killings.

“The government must explain how hundreds of Nigerians can be taken hostage in a single operation without an effective intervention. Nigerians cannot continue to live in communities where terrorists and kidnappers determine who lives, who dies and who disappears,” HURIWA says.

The association calls on the security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated operations aimed at locating the abducted citizens while ensuring that any rescue mission prioritises the safety of the victims.

HURIWA further urges the government to establish a dedicated communication channel through which affected families can receive verified information about rescue efforts.

The association warns that prolonged silence could deepen public distrust and leave victims’ families feeling abandoned by the state.

“Every abducted Nigerian is a citizen whose life is protected by the Constitution. Their families are not asking for charity. They are demanding the most basic duty of government — protection of life and the safe return of their loved ones,” HURIWA says.

HURIWA therefore demands urgent action, transparent communication and accountability over the mass abduction, stressing that the government must demonstrate that the lives of ordinary Nigerians are not expendable.