By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of allegedly advancing the political interests of President Bola Tinubu through what it described as selective compliance with judicial pronouncements affecting opposition political parties.
The rights advocacy group specifically questioned the electoral body’s handling of leadership disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that INEC had failed to accord recognition to Alhaji Tanimu Turaki as the party’s interim national chairman despite judicial decisions and endorsements from the PDP’s Board of Trustees.
In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA expressed concern over what it termed a pattern of double standards in the commission’s implementation of court judgments.
The group contrasted INEC’s response to the leadership crisis within the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where it reportedly moved swiftly to recognise Professor Umar Abubakar Gombe as national chairman following judicial pronouncements, with what it described as the commission’s reluctance to act on developments within the PDP.
According to HURIWA, such perceived inconsistency raises serious questions about the commission’s commitment to neutrality and the rule of law.
“It is difficult for objective observers of Nigeria’s democratic landscape to understand why INEC is swift in implementing judicial pronouncements that affect one political party while appearing reluctant or unwilling to give effect to similar judicial decisions concerning another party,” the group stated.
“If court orders are binding on INEC in the case of the SDP, why are court orders apparently not binding when it comes to the internal leadership issues of the PDP? Is there one law for the SDP and another law for the PDP? Nigerians deserve answers.”
The association further referenced a recent Court of Appeal judgment which it said nullified the March 29, 2026 convention organised by a PDP faction allegedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
According to HURIWA, the appellate court held that the legal authority upon which the convention was convened had expired, thereby rendering the exercise invalid.
The group argued that the judgment should ordinarily compel INEC and other relevant institutions to update their records and actions in line with the legal position established by the court.
HURIWA warned that any perceived selective interpretation or enforcement of judicial decisions could deepen political divisions and reinforce concerns that state institutions were being deployed to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation also called on INEC to publicly address allegations made by SDP presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, who has claimed that certain state institutions are being manipulated to advance the interests of President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“INEC owes Nigerians a duty of transparency. The commission must openly demonstrate through its actions that it is not operating from the pockets of any politician or political party. It must reassure Nigerians that it remains an independent constitutional body committed solely to the rule of law and democratic principles,” the statement read.
The rights group further urged the electoral commission to clarify the reasons behind what it described as differing approaches to leadership disputes in the SDP and PDP.
“Given the growing public perception of selective enforcement, INEC should urgently clarify why it has promptly complied with judicial directives affecting the SDP while allegedly failing to implement similar judicial outcomes relating to the PDP. Silence in the face of these legitimate concerns only fuels suspicion and damages institutional credibility.”
HURIWA maintained that the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic process depends largely on the impartial conduct of institutions responsible for administering elections and upholding constitutional order.
According to the organisation, democracy can only thrive when court judgments are implemented fairly, consistently and without regard to political affiliations or external influence.
The group therefore called on INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and the commission’s leadership to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding what it described as the disparity in the treatment of the PDP and SDP leadership disputes.
It stressed that all judicial decisions, regardless of the political parties involved, must be enforced uniformly to preserve public confidence in the electoral system.
HURIWA warned that lingering perceptions of selective compliance with court orders could further erode trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions at a time when confidence in the electoral process is crucial ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation insisted that INEC must demonstrate through both its actions and decisions that it remains an independent constitutional body guided solely by the rule of law, fairness and democratic principles.