By Destiny Obinna
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised the alarm over growing political violence, attacks on campaign teams and alleged sponsorship of armed thugs ahead of the 2027 general elections, calling on the Federal Government to establish a joint security task force to protect political parties and their supporters.
The civil society organisation warned that the growing incidents of political attacks, intimidation and disruption of campaign activities posed a threat to democratic participation and electoral stability.
HURIWA, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, condemned reported attacks on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State, APC supporters in Katsina State, the disruption of Governor Alex Otti’s re-election campaign inauguration in Abia State and the alleged assault on human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, in Ekiti State.
The organisation called on the National Security Adviser (NSA) to establish a joint security task force comprising professional and non-partisan security personnel to protect political parties, candidates, campaign officials and supporters throughout the electoral process.
It said the task force should be empowered to prevent attacks, respond swiftly to security threats and secure political activities across the country.
“HURIWA rejects the use of violence, intimidation and armed groups to disrupt political activities. Every political party, candidate and supporter deserves protection and the freedom to participate in the electoral process without fear,” the statement said.
On the reported attack on NDC members in Obuofia, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, HURIWA said suspected armed political thugs disrupted a ward meeting, leaving several members injured.
The organisation said the party had identified eight members who allegedly sustained gunshot injuries, while the Enugu State Police Command reportedly confirmed that armed hoodlums disrupted the meeting and injured attendees.
It demanded a thorough investigation, arrest and prosecution of those responsible, insisting that political meetings and peaceful association were fundamental rights that security agencies must protect irrespective of party affiliation.
HURIWA also condemned the reported attack on APC supporters travelling to Funtua for the flag-off of Governor Dikko Radda’s re-election campaign in Katsina State.
According to the group, suspected hoodlums allegedly attacked vehicles conveying the supporters in Malumfashi Local Government Area with stones and other objects, damaging windscreens and windows and leaving some people with minor injuries.
It urged the police to identify the attackers, establish their motives and political affiliations through credible investigations and bring anyone found culpable to justice.
The organisation further condemned the disruption of Governor Alex Otti’s 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.
It warned political parties and their supporters against turning campaign grounds into arenas of violence and intimidation.
HURIWA also expressed concern over 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.
It said Sowore had alleged that a mobile phone stolen during the incident was traced to the Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge and demanded the release of CCTV footage from Tawakalitu Restaurant, where the incident reportedly occurred.
The organisation called on the police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to conduct a transparent and impartial investigation, establish the whereabouts of the phone and identify those responsible for the alleged assault.
However, it cautioned against treating allegations against named individuals as established facts without credible evidence, insisting that investigators must professionally establish the facts and hold anyone found culpable accountable.
Beyond the reported incidents, HURIWA called on the police, DSS and other security agencies to introduce a coordinated security framework covering campaign rallies, ward meetings, campaign tours and other political engagements.
It also demanded stronger intelligence gathering, effective early-warning mechanisms and prompt investigation of politically motivated violence.
The organisation further called for the prosecution of anyone found to have sponsored, financed, armed or coordinated political attacks, irrespective of political status or connections.
Warning that failure to address the situation could embolden armed groups and deepen political intolerance, HURIWA urged political parties to discipline violent supporters, reject the use of armed thugs and cooperate with security agencies.
It maintained that credible elections must go beyond transparent voting and accurate results to guarantee that political parties and candidates can organise, mobilise supporters and campaign without threats to their lives.
“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 statement said.
The organisation urged the Federal Government, security agencies, political parties and civil society groups to work together to guarantee peaceful political competition, accountability and respect for democratic freedoms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
