By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) says the Nigeria Police Force must move beyond invitations and warnings and take lawful action against politicians and public officials accused of making inflammatory statements capable of inciting political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

HURIWA says the continued delay in decisive action in the cases involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District; Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Abuja, Samuel Shekwolo; and Borno State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba, is raising serious concerns about the enforcement of Nigeria’s electoral laws.

The association says repeated warnings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the police against threats, intimidation and inflammatory political statements will have little effect if persons accused of violating the law are not properly investigated and, where evidence establishes an offence, prosecuted.

HURIWA says action speaks louder than words and argues that the earlier persons found culpable of political incitement are arrested, prosecuted and sanctioned in accordance with the law, the better for Nigeria’s democracy.

FADAHUNSI CASE

HURIWA recalls that a video circulated shortly before the August 15 governorship election in Osun State in which Senator Fadahunsi appeared to call on APC supporters to retaliate against members of the Accord Party in Ilesa.

The association says the senator was subsequently invited by the police after public concerns over the statement, but Nigerians deserve to know whether the invitation has resulted in a formal investigation, prosecution or any other lawful action.

HURIWA says an invitation by the police should not become a substitute for prosecution where an investigation establishes that a criminal offence was committed.

The association further says the subsequent explanation or denial attributed to the senator does not remove the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to establish the facts surrounding the statement.

SHEKWOLO CASE

HURIWA says the case involving Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Shekwolo is equally troubling.

The association recalls that Shekwolo was captured in a widely circulated video reportedly threatening residents who did not support the APC.

HURIWA says the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) subsequently called for his arrest and prosecution, describing the alleged conduct as intimidation and an assault on constitutional and democratic principles.

The association therefore asks the police to explain the current status of the matter and why Nigerians have not been adequately informed about any prosecution arising from the allegation.

HURIWA says residents must be free to support any political party or candidate of their choice without fear of expulsion, intimidation or punishment.

BUBA CASE

HURIWA also says the statement attributed to Borno State Commissioner Sainna Buba requires serious attention from law enforcement authorities.

The association recalls that Buba was captured in a circulating video making statements that appeared to threaten opposition supporters with punishment if they refused to support the APC.

HURIWA says such statements, if established to have been made as alleged, should be subjected to proper investigation under the relevant laws.

The association says political office holders must understand that public office does not confer immunity from accountability for statements or actions that may violate the law.

WARNINGS WITHOUT ACTION

HURIWA says it is concerned that security agencies continue to issue warnings against political incitement while Nigerians are yet to see sufficient evidence of prosecution in some high-profile cases.

The association notes that the police have publicly described incitement as a criminal offence and have promised to arrest and prosecute persons whose statements threaten public peace.

HURIWA therefore challenges the police to match those declarations with concrete action.

The association says Nigerians should not be left with the impression that political affiliation determines who is investigated, arrested or prosecuted.

“HURIWA says action speaks louder than words. If incitement is a criminal offence, the law must apply equally to everybody, regardless of political party, position or influence.”

NO IMMUNITY FOR POLITICAL INCITEMENT

HURIWA says apologies, denials or attempts to reinterpret controversial statements should not automatically bring investigations to an end.

The association says the duty of the police is to investigate allegations objectively, determine whether an offence has been committed and prosecute where the evidence supports such action.

HURIWA also calls on INEC, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Peace Committee to respond decisively to political statements capable of undermining peaceful participation in the 2027 elections.

The association says selective enforcement of electoral laws could create a dangerous perception that political connections provide protection from accountability.

HURIWA therefore urges political parties to discipline members whose public statements threaten peaceful political participation.

2027 MUST NOT BECOME A BATTLEFIELD

HURIWA says the 2027 general elections must not become a contest of threats, intimidation and violence.

The association urges security agencies to act before inflammatory rhetoric translates into physical attacks and loss of lives.

HURIWA says Nigerians have a constitutional right to choose their leaders freely and without fear, coercion or intimidation.

The association therefore demands that the Nigeria Police Force publicly disclose the status of investigations involving Fadahunsi, Shekwolo and Buba and prosecute any person found culpable in accordance with the law.

HURIWA also calls on security agencies to monitor political actors across party lines whose statements could threaten peaceful elections.

The association says the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy will be tested not only at the ballot box but also by the willingness of state institutions to enforce the law without fear or favour.

Signed:

Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA). Sunday, September 6th, 2026.

By Our Correspondent

The South East Revival Group, (SERG), has warned that the January 16, 2027 date fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) for the Presidential and National Assembly elections could unintentionally lock out millions of voters, especially South-Easterners who travel home for Christmas.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Agu Chineme, SERG said the date falls too close to the New Year return period.

This, it explained, could force voters registered in their home states to make a costly “double journey” — first for Christmas, then back to work, and again to vote.

“We are not alleging a conspiracy against the South-East. Our concern is simple: will the election date promote or obstruct the constitutional right of eligible Nigerians to vote?” the group stated, arguing that electoral timing must be practically accessible, not just legally valid.

According to SERG, millions of Nigerians, particularly from the South-East, traditionally return to their ancestral homes in December before resuming work in January, noting that a second trip back to their polling units before January 16, would impose serious financial, logistical and security burdens amid rising transport costs.

It, therefore, called on INEC to urgently conduct a Voter Mobility and Electoral Accessibility Impact Assessment, which should examine festive migration patterns, transport availability and costs, interstate security, accommodation, employment and school calendars, and the ability of voters to reach their polling units safely.

Stressing that the demand is national, not ethnic, the group stated: “Every Nigerian voter deserves a realistic opportunity to vote safely and return home. Electoral accessibility must be treated as a national democratic priority.”

SERG also issued a direct message to South-East voters living outside their states of registration: “Go home for Christmas, but do not go home at the expense of your vote.”

“If a second trip will be too expensive or impossible, plan ahead. Where possible, remain where you are registered until after you vote,” it advised.

The group urged INEC to engage political parties, civil society organisations, transport unions, traditional rulers, employers and security agencies to develop a national voter-access strategy.

It also demanded strengthened security along major interstate routes before and during the election.

SERG listed nine actions for INEC, including early public education, monitoring of voter-mobility problems, employer flexibility, and remedial measures if credible barriers are found.

It cautioned against ethnicising the debate, saying concerns about access should not be mistaken for attacks on INEC.

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.