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By Lizzy Chirkpi
Foremost rights advocacy group, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has alleged that high-ranking presidential officials are covertly funding early campaigns for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election.
HURIWA claims these funds are being used to orchestrate widespread support for Tinubu, despite the election being nearly two years away.
National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko further accuses government ministers and All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders of abusing their positions by pressuring opposition politicians in state and national assemblies to defect to the APC, thereby bolstering Tinubu’s reelection efforts.
HURIWA asserts that the meticulously orchestrated and well-funded endorsements and campaigns by APC heavyweights and defected opposition members indicate a hidden agenda.
In an interview with Pointblank News, Onwubiko said, “With the meticulously orchestrated and seemingly well-funded open campaigns and serial endorsements of President Tinubu for 2027 by many heavyweights of the All Progressives Congress and some PDP fallen politicians who are falling on themselves to outdo each other in staging and choreographing political jamboree and pseudo-carnivals to drum up support for the Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election, it is very obvious that there can be no smoke without fire and the masquerades do not dance when drummers aren’t drumming for them.”
He points to the involvement of key figures like the Senate President, ranking senators, the APC leadership, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who are allegedly using public resources to organize political events under the guise of constituent endorsements.
HURIWA considers this a violation of the electoral act and the constitution, likening it to starting a competition before the official start.
The group also alleges that APC senators and representatives, including those who switched parties, are diverting constituency project funds to finance these premature campaigns. HURIWA dismisses the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, Mr. Bayo Onanuga’s, caution against early campaigning as a deceptive attempt to distance the president from these activities, especially given the involvement of public officials.
HURIWA says, “Right from the Senate President, ranking Senators across political party divides, the National leadership of the All Progressives Congress and the Deputy Speaker of the Federal house of representatives, Nigerians have seen these high profile public office holders make use of public resources and time to organise political carnivals just so they can address the media pretending that their supporters and constituents have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for second term.
“We consider this as a violation of the Electoral Act and the constitution because this is like beginning a competitive football match even before the blast of the whistle signalling official commencement by the accredited referee,” he says.
HURIWA reiterated its earlier protest against the early campaigns, noting the statement by Special Adviser to President Tinubu disclaiming presidential authorization for such activities. The statement, titled “Presidency Disclaims 2027 Campaign Billboards Nationwide,” emphasized that premature campaigning undermines electoral integrity.
“We urgently call on individuals and groups funding this 2027 political campaign through the ongoing deployment of materials on billboards nationwide to cease immediately,” it said in a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the statement titled ‘Presidency Disclaims 2027 Campaign Billboards Nationwide.’
Onanuga said, “The Presidency has observed, with dismay, the increasing number of billboards in some cities.
“Worth noting is that some of these billboards with pictures of the President and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, emblazoned on them, are springing up in Abuja and Kano, in particular. The electoral law that guides the conduct of elections and political campaigns forbids any form of campaign for the 2027 general elections.
“While President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima greatly appreciate their teeming and loyal supporters across the country for their enthusiasm and continuing support, the two leaders do not support any campaign that breaches the laws of the land.”
However, the Special Adviser stated that President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima do not support any actions that violate electoral laws and urged supporters to cease all campaign activities until INEC sets the official timetable.
HURIWA suspects that the involvement of high-profile officials, including the Senate President, Deputy Speaker, and some governors, suggests a deeper level of coordination. They believe these officials feel immune to legal repercussions due to the APC’s control over INEC and law enforcement agencies.