“Democracy is not a captured game” — HURIWA alleges coordinated effort to undermine opposition, warns of constitutional crisis if interferences continue

[Press Release] The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) is hereby issuing a strong warning over what it describes as a deepening pattern of political interference, institutional compromise, and coordinated destabilisation of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Rights Association alleged that recent developments in Nigeria’s political space point to a deliberate strategy by powerful interests within the system to weaken opposition formations, fracture emerging alliances, and influence electoral outcomes before Nigerians even get to the ballot.

HURIWA specifically raised concerns about alleged political engineering linked to actors within the Presidency led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that the use of state-linked influence to shape opposition dynamics represents a direct threat to constitutional democracy.

It further alleged that the Office of the Chief of Staff, headed by Femi Gbajabiamila, is being mentioned in political circles as a strategic coordination point for managing internal party fractures within opposition ranks through influence, persuasion, and alleged inducement.

Advertisement

According to HURIWA, “what is unfolding is not normal political competition. It is a structured effort to destabilise opposition platforms from within, weaken credible alternatives, and tilt the political space in favour of predetermined outcomes.”

The group warned that democracy cannot survive where opposition parties are persistently destabilised through internal sabotage, judicial manipulation, or external political pressure.

It also expressed concern over what it described as growing attempts to exploit legal and institutional processes to frustrate emerging political formations such as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), noting that controversies surrounding party registration and recognition must be handled strictly within constitutional boundaries by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

HURIWA referenced the ongoing debate surrounding opposition realignments involving prominent political actors such as Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, cautioning that any attempt to frustrate their political participation—directly or indirectly—would amount to a dangerous erosion of democratic competition.

The Association also warned against what it described as the “judicialisation of political manipulation,” where courts are allegedly drawn into partisan disputes in ways that could compromise public confidence in the judiciary.

HURIWA stressed that the judiciary must remain the last line of democratic protection—not a tool for political engineering or partisan advantage.

The group further called on INEC to maintain strict neutrality and resist any pressure, direct or indirect, that could compromise its constitutional mandate to guarantee free, fair, and credible elections.

On the international front, HURIWA urged democratic partners including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union to closely monitor Nigeria’s evolving political climate, warning that unchecked manipulation of democratic processes could have regional and global implications.

“The world must not look away while democratic space is quietly being narrowed,” the statement said.

HURIWA also called on Nigerians across political, ethnic, and religious divides to remain vigilant and actively defend the integrity of the electoral process, stressing that democracy survives only when citizens refuse to normalise institutional abuse.

The Association concluded with a stark warning: “When opposition is systematically weakened and institutions are compromised, elections become rituals—not choices. Nigeria must not be pushed into that reality.”

Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator, HURIWA
5th May, 2026