By George Mgbeleke<\/p>\n
Popular civil society body, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) condemns the growing wave of political violence, attacks on campaign teams and alleged sponsorship of armed political thugs ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such acts threaten Nigeria\u2019s democracy and electoral stability.<\/p>\n
HURIWA in a statement signed by its national coordintor,Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, rejects the use of violence, intimidation and armed groups to disrupt political activities.
\nThe association insists that every political party, candidate and supporter deserves protection and the freedom to participate in the electoral process without fear.<\/p>\n
The Rights organisation HURIWA condemns the reported attack on Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) members in Enugu State, the assault on APC supporters travelling to a campaign event in Katsina State, and the disruption of Governor Alex Otti\u2019s re-election campaign inauguration in Abia State.<\/p>\n
In Enugu, suspected armed political thugs reportedly attacked an NDC ward meeting in Obuofia, Nkanu West Local Government Area, leaving several party members injured.<\/p>\n
The NDC identified eight members who it said sustained gunshot injuries during the attack.
\nThe Enugu State Police Command also confirmed that armed hoodlums disrupted the meeting and injured attendees.<\/p>\n
HURIWA condemns the attack and demands a thorough investigation, the arrest of those responsible and their prosecution in accordance with the law.<\/p>\n
The association maintains that political meetings and peaceful association constitute fundamental rights that security agencies must protect, regardless of party affiliation.<\/p>\n
HURIWA also condemns the reported attack on APC supporters in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State as they travelled to Funtua for the flag-off of Governor Dikko Radda\u2019s re-election campaign.<\/p>\n
Suspected hoodlums reportedly hurled stones and other objects at vehicles conveying the supporters, shattering windscreens and windows and leaving some people with minor injuries.<\/p>\n
HURIWA demands that the police identify the attackers, establish their motives and political affiliations through credible investigations, and bring anyone found culpable to justice.<\/p>\n
The association condemns the disruption of Governor Alex Otti\u2019s re-election campaign inauguration at Umuahia Township Stadium in Abia State, where competing political groups reportedly caused disorder during the proceedings, including a church service.<\/p>\n
HURIWA warns political parties and their supporters against turning campaign grounds into arenas of violence, intimidation and disorder. The association insists that political loyalty must never override respect for human life, public order and democratic freedoms.<\/p>\n
HURIWA equally condemns the reported assault on human rights activist and African Action Congress presidential aspirant, Omoyele Sowore, and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.<\/p>\n
Sowore alleges that a mobile phone stolen during the attack has been traced to the Ekiti State Governor\u2019s Lodge.
\nHe has demanded that the police and the Department of State Services release CCTV footage from Tawakalitu Restaurant, where the incident reportedly occurred.<\/p>\n
HURIWA demands a transparent, impartial and comprehensive investigation into the attack. The association urges the police and DSS to establish the whereabouts of the phone, examine relevant evidence and identify everyone responsible for the assault.<\/p>\n
HURIWA cautions against treating allegations against named individuals as established facts without credible evidence.
\nThe association insists that investigators must pursue the case professionally and hold accountable anyone whose involvement they establish.<\/p>\n
HURIWA Demands Joint Security Task Force<\/p>\n
HURIWA calls on the National Security Adviser to establish a joint security task force to protect political parties, candidates, campaign officials, supporters and other participants in the 2027 electoral process.<\/p>\n
The association demands a task force comprising professional, patriotic and non-partisan security personnel capable of preventing attacks, responding swiftly to threats and securing political activities across the country.<\/p>\n
HURIWA urges the police, DSS and other relevant security agencies to introduce a coordinated security framework for campaign rallies, ward meetings, campaign tours and other political engagements.<\/p>\n
The association demands stronger intelligence gathering, effective early-warning mechanisms and prompt investigations into politically motivated violence. HURIWA also calls for the prosecution of anyone found to have sponsored, financed, armed or coordinated political attacks, regardless of political status or connections.<\/p>\n
HURIWA Warns Against Escalating Political Violence<\/p>\n
HURIWA warns that the failure of security agencies to confront political violence could embolden armed groups, deepen political intolerance and undermine public confidence in the 2027 elections.<\/p>\n
The association demands immediate preventive action rather than a reactive response after attacks have occurred. HURIWA insists that every political party and candidate must enjoy equal protection under the law.<\/p>\n
HURIWA also urges political parties to discipline violent supporters, reject the use of armed thugs and cooperate with security agencies to identify perpetrators.<\/p>\n
The association stresses that credible elections require more than transparent voting and accurate results. HURIWA says the electoral process must guarantee the freedom of political parties to organise, mobilise supporters and campaign without threats to their lives.<\/p>\n
HURIWA warns that Nigeria must not allow political thuggery, armed intimidation and organised violence to overwhelm democratic institutions.<\/p>\n
HURIWA demands that security agencies wake up to their constitutional responsibilities before organised armed groups and anti-democratic elements exploit their failure to enforce the law. The association insists that every Nigerian must enjoy the freedom to participate in politics without fear of assault, intimidation or death.<\/p>\n
HURIWA calls on the Federal Government, security agencies, political parties and civil society organisations to work together to guarantee peaceful political competition, accountability and respect for democratic freedoms ahead of the 2027 general elections.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By George Mgbeleke Popular civil society body, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) condemns the growing wave of political violence, attacks on campaign teams and alleged sponsorship of armed political thugs ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such acts threaten Nigeria\u2019s democracy and electoral stability. HURIWA in a statement signed by […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11875,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19347","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19347"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19347\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19348,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19347\/revisions\/19348"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}