PRESS STATEMENT

Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)

HURIWA: Uzodimma, Otu, Wike, Kuje Council Chairman Must Stop Endangering Democracy

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised a grave alarm over what it describes as a disturbing pattern of political intolerance, threats and alleged misuse of public institutions against opposition politicians and citizens ahead of the 2027 general elections.
HURIWA specifically calls on Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, to immediately desist from conduct capable of undermining Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
We equally call on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Security Adviser and the Service Chiefs to take these developments seriously and ensure that no political office holder uses state institutions, security agencies or public resources to intimidate opposition politicians or voters.
THE KUJE RED FLAG
HURIWA is particularly alarmed by the reported statement of the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, who was captured in a widely circulated video telling residents that they must support the All Progressives Congress (APC) or leave the area council.
Shekwolo reportedly said:
“I have said in my area council, it’s either you are doing APC or leave the area council. I am not arguing about it at all.”
He further said:
“I cannot have the Minister and the President doing what they are doing, then on the day of the election, you will now say you want to match me. I will not agree.”
He subsequently added:
“It’s either you are with us or you are against us.”
HURIWA considers these statements profoundly dangerous because the speaker is not merely an APC campaigner. He is an elected public official entrusted with the administration of an area council whose residents belong to different political parties and hold diverse political opinions.
Government services, public infrastructure and citizenship rights are not conditional on membership of the APC or any other political party.
Indeed, Amnesty International has also condemned the remarks and described them as an attack on freedom of association and liberty.
HURIWA therefore demands that the appropriate authorities summon Mr Shekwolo to explain these statements and warn all local government officials that public office cannot be converted into a political enforcement mechanism.
IMO: COURT ORDER MUST NOT BE IGNORED
HURIWA is equally concerned about developments surrounding the political activities of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court has already issued an interim injunction restraining the Imo State Government, security agencies and the chairmen of Ideato North and Ideato South Local Government Areas from interfering with Ugochinyere’s rallies, meetings, campaigns and other civic activities.
The order followed Ugochinyere’s application seeking protection of his political activities and was issued in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/153/2026 and Motion No. M/481/2026.
HURIWA considers it extremely troubling that a Nigerian lawmaker should have to approach a court to secure protection for activities that ordinarily fall within the constitutional freedoms of movement, expression, association and peaceful assembly.
Political differences between Governor Hope Uzodimma and Hon. Ugochinyere cannot justify the use of government machinery or security agencies to frustrate lawful political activity.
The court order must be respected to the letter.
No governor has the constitutional authority to determine where an opposition politician can campaign, whom he can meet or what political message he can communicate, provided such activities remain lawful.
CROSS RIVER: POLITICAL OPPOSITION MUST NOT BE “CRUSHED”
HURIWA also recalls the controversy that followed reported comments attributed to Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu concerning opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 elections.
The PDP governorship candidate in Cross River State, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, accused the governor of threatening to “crush” opposition politicians and described the reported remark as dangerous and intimidating.
Whether directed at political opponents or made in the heat of political rhetoric, language suggesting that opposition politicians will be “crushed” is unacceptable in a constitutional democracy.
HURIWA therefore urges Governor Otu to publicly clarify his position and assure Cross Riverians that members and supporters of opposition parties will be allowed to campaign freely, organise peacefully and seek votes without intimidation.
We also caution political actors against normalising language that can be interpreted by supporters as a licence for political violence.
WIKE’S OSUN REMARKS REQUIRE CLARIFICATION
HURIWA is also deeply concerned about statements attributed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, following the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
Wike said that if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had wanted to win the election “at all costs”, he would have been involved and “we would have won it,” adding that there was no federal might used in Osun.
The Minister also said:
“When you see the force and might of the federal government, you will know.”
HURIWA considers such statements dangerous because they can create the impression that the machinery of the Federal Government can be deployed to influence electoral outcomes.
For the avoidance of doubt, no government machinery belongs to the APC, PDP, Labour Party, ADC, Accord or any other political party.
The government belongs to the Nigerian people.
Public institutions, security agencies and the electoral system must therefore remain neutral.
HURIWA is particularly concerned about reports of political statements surrounding the expected performance of the APC in the FCT and Rivers State in 2027. Any declaration by a public official suggesting that particular territories must be “delivered” to a political party should be treated as a democratic red flag and subjected to public scrutiny.
NIGERIA IS A MULTIPARTY DEMOCRACY
HURIWA reminds all governors, ministers, council chairmen and political office holders that Nigeria’s constitutional democracy does not recognise the ownership of government by a political party.
Political parties contest elections. The Nigerian state belongs to the people.
The machinery of government must therefore never be deployed to punish citizens for belonging to an opposition party, attending an opposition rally, campaigning for an opposition candidate or exercising their constitutional right to vote according to their conscience.
The 2027 election must not become a contest between opposition politicians and the coercive machinery of government.
Every registered political party and every eligible Nigerian must enjoy a level playing field to:
campaign peacefully;
hold rallies and meetings;
canvass for votes;
express political opinions;
move freely;
associate with political parties of their choice; and
vote without intimidation, coercion or threats.
SECURITY AGENCIES MUST ACT NOW
HURIWA therefore calls on the INEC Chairman, Inspector-General of Police, DSS Director-General, National Security Adviser and the Service Chiefs to begin monitoring inflammatory political statements and conduct by public officials ahead of the 2027 elections.
We specifically demand that security agencies investigate credible allegations of threats, intimidation or misuse of public institutions and ensure that no governor, minister or local government chairman is above the law.
We also call on the relevant authorities to invite Chairman Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo for questioning over his reported “APC or leave” declaration and ensure that residents of Kuje are not subjected to intimidation because of their political choices.
Where security assessments establish that any public official or political actor constitutes a credible threat to democratic peace, appropriate protective and preventive measures should be taken.
2027 MUST NOT BE A BATTLE OF STATE POWER
HURIWA warns that Nigeria cannot afford a repeat of the ugly history of politically motivated violence, intimidation and abuse of state institutions.
The 2027 election must be won through votes, persuasion, competence and the confidence of the electorate—not threats, coercion or the deployment of government machinery against political opponents.
We consequently call on Governors Hope Uzodimma and Bassey Otu, Minister Nyesom Wike and Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo to publicly affirm their commitment to peaceful multiparty democracy and respect for the constitutional rights of every Nigerian, irrespective of political affiliation.
Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians—not to APC, PDP, ADC, Labour Party, Accord or any other political organisation.
HURIWA will continue to monitor these developments and will resist every attempt by any political actor, regardless of party or office, to turn Nigeria’s democratic institutions into instruments of partisan domination.
Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA)
26 August 2026