PDP crisis: HURIWA demands INEC clarify candidates’ access code amid court battle over party leadership

● Rights group warns electoral commission against actions that could pre-empt Federal High Court decision

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately clarify reports that it has issued the Candidates’ Access Code for the 2027 elections to a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement signed on Sunday by Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, National Coordinator of HURIWA, the pro-democracy group said INEC, under Professor Joash Amupitan, has a duty of transparency to Nigerians.

According to HURIWA, silence on the matter “only fuels public suspicion and undermines confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the electoral process.”

—Allegations against Wike-aligned faction—

HURIWA said it was alarmed by reports that the access code had been issued to the faction associated with FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, despite subsisting court judgments and ongoing litigation over who controls the PDP.

“If indeed the reports are true that the Candidates’ Access Code has been issued to the faction associated with the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, then INEC must immediately explain the legal basis for taking such a consequential administrative step,” Onwubiko stated.

—Court of Appeal ruling, pending suit—

The group recalled that the Court of Appeal recently ruled that the tenure of former PDP National Legal Adviser, *A.K. Ajibade, SAN*, expired in December 2025, and that there was no credible evidence of his re-election.

The court held that any letter of instruction issued by Ajibade lacked legal validity — a decision HURIWA said “significantly undermines the legal foundation” of the March 29, 2026 convention conducted by the Wike-aligned faction.

HURIWA also noted that the PDP Board of Trustees, led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, had constituted an interim National Working Committee headed by Chief Kabir Tanimu Turaki, SAN.

The BoT has filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026 at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking an order compelling INEC to recognise the Turaki-led interim NWC as the lawful leadership of the party.

The group said INEC has entered appearance in the suit. The Federal High Court has fixed July 7, 2026 for hearing of all pending applications and the substantive case after ordering accelerated hearing due to INEC’s electoral timetable.

Counsel to the plaintiffs also told the court that political parties had begun receiving Candidates’ Access Codes and asked that the Turaki-led leadership be issued the code to avoid “irreparable prejudice” pending judgment.

—“Do not foist a fait accompli on the court”—

HURIWA warned that INEC must exercise restraint and avoid any step that could render the court proceedings academic.

“Nigeria’s electoral umpire has a constitutional obligation not merely to organise elections but to inspire confidence that it acts without fear, favour or political influence. Any action that appears to pre-empt the outcome of pending litigation would amount to a grave disservice to constitutional democracy,” the statement said.

The group demanded that if INEC has not issued the code to any PDP faction, it should state so unequivocally and pledge to obey court orders.

However, if the code has already been issued, HURIWA urged the Commission to “immediately review that decision in the interest of justice, fairness and constitutional order” and ensure compliance with judicial pronouncements. It added that if the code must be issued, it should go to the interim leadership put in place by the BoT.

—Call for neutrality ahead of 2027—

HURIWA concluded that the credibility of Nigeria’s elections depends on institutions respecting the Constitution and the courts.

“We therefore urge INEC to act strictly within the law, maintain institutional neutrality and avoid any action that could deepen political tensions or erode public confidence in the democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections,” Onwubiko said.