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The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has challenged the Nigeria Police Force to disclose the status of investigations into alleged inflammatory statements linked to three political figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation specifically demanded clarity on the cases involving Senator Francis Fadahunsi of Osun East Senatorial District; Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Abuja, Samuel Shekwolo; and Borno State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation, Youth and Sports Development, Sainna Buba.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said the police must demonstrate that warnings against political incitement would be backed by impartial enforcement of the law.
The rights group expressed concern that repeated warnings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies against threats, intimidation and inflammatory political rhetoric could lose their deterrent effect if alleged violations were not properly investigated and prosecuted where evidence warranted.
HURIWA said law enforcement agencies should not allow political status or affiliation to determine whether an allegation of incitement receives serious attention.
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Fadahunsi Under Spotlight
HURIWA said the controversy surrounding Senator Fadahunsi followed the circulation of a video shortly before the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
According to the association, Fadahunsi appeared in the video to call on supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to retaliate against members of the Accord Party in Ilesa.
The group recalled that the senator was subsequently invited by the police after concerns were raised publicly over the alleged statement.
It, however, questioned what had happened to the matter since the invitation, asking whether the police investigation had been concluded and whether any prosecution or other lawful action had followed.
HURIWA maintained that a police invitation should not be regarded as the end of the process where an investigation establishes evidence of a criminal offence.
It added that any explanation or denial subsequently offered by the senator should not prevent the authorities from independently establishing what occurred.
NHRC Call On Shekwolo
The association also raised questions over the case involving Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Shekwolo.
HURIWA said Shekwolo was captured in a widely circulated video allegedly threatening residents who did not support the APC.
It recalled that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) subsequently called for his arrest and prosecution, describing the alleged conduct as intimidation and contrary to constitutional and democratic principles.
HURIWA urged the police to inform Nigerians about the present status of the matter and clarify whether any formal prosecution had commenced.
The group stressed that residents must be allowed to freely choose the political party or candidate they wish to support without threats, intimidation or punishment.
Buba’s Alleged Threats
HURIWA equally demanded proper investigation of statements attributed to Borno State Commissioner Sainna Buba.
The organisation said a video circulating publicly appeared to show the commissioner making statements that could be interpreted as threats against opposition supporters who declined to support the APC.
HURIWA emphasised that the allegations should be subjected to due investigation and that appropriate legal action should follow if the claims were substantiated.
It further warned that occupying public office could not shield any individual from accountability for conduct that potentially violated the law.
‘Warnings Must Be Backed By Action’
The rights group said it was increasingly concerned about what it described as a gap between official warnings against political incitement and visible enforcement action.
According to HURIWA, security agencies must demonstrate that their warnings are not merely statements issued for public consumption.
The organisation said Nigerians should not be left with the impression that political connections determine who gets investigated, arrested or prosecuted.
“HURIWA says action speaks louder than words. If incitement is a criminal offence, the law must apply equally to everybody, regardless of political party, position or influence,” the statement said.
HURIWA further argued that apologies, denials or attempts to reinterpret controversial remarks should not automatically terminate investigations.
Rather, it said, law enforcement agencies should objectively establish the facts, determine whether an offence had been committed and prosecute where the evidence supports such action.
HURIWA Warns Against 2027 Political Violence
The association called on INEC, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Peace Committee to intensify efforts to curb political statements capable of threatening peaceful participation in the 2027 elections.
It also urged political parties to take disciplinary measures against members whose public utterances could encourage intimidation or violence.
HURIWA warned that selective enforcement of electoral and criminal laws could undermine public confidence in the democratic process and create the perception that political influence offers protection from accountability.
The organisation insisted that the 2027 elections must not become a battlefield.
It urged security agencies to act before inflammatory rhetoric escalates into physical attacks, saying Nigerians have a constitutional right to participate in elections freely and without fear, coercion or intimidation.
HURIWA therefore demanded that the police publicly disclose the status of the investigations involving Fadahunsi, Shekwolo and Buba and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.
The group also called for closer monitoring of political actors across party lines whose statements could threaten peaceful elections, arguing that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy would depend not only on the conduct of the elections but also on whether state institutions enforce the law fairly and without fear or favour.
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