Amanze Chinonye
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately clarify reports alleging that it issued the Candidates’ Access Code for the upload of candidates in the 2027 general elections to a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite ongoing litigation over the party’s authentic leadership.
In a statement issued on Sunday, HURIWA said INEC owed Nigerians a duty of transparency, warning that its silence on the controversy risked eroding public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the electoral process at a time when preparations for the 2027 polls were gathering momentum.
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Signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the statement said that if reports suggesting the access code had been issued to the faction associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, were accurate, the commission should explain the legal basis for taking such a consequential administrative step while judicial proceedings over the PDP leadership remained unresolved.
The rights group argued that any action conferring administrative advantage on one faction before the courts determine the legitimate leadership of the party could undermine confidence in INEC’s neutrality and raise questions about the credibility of the electoral process.
HURIWA recalled a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, which it said held that the tenure of former PDP National Legal Adviser A. K. Ajibade expired in December 2025 and found no credible evidence that he was re-elected. According to the group, the appellate court consequently ruled that any subsequent letter of instruction issued by Ajibade lacked legal validity, thereby casting doubt on the legal foundation of the March 29, 2026 convention conducted by the Wike-aligned faction.
It further noted that the PDP Board of Trustees, led by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, constituted an interim National Working Committee headed by Kabir Tanimu Turaki, which has filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1159/2026 before the Federal High Court, seeking an order compelling INEC to recognise the Turaki-led committee as the lawful leadership of the PDP.
According to HURIWA, the Federal High Court has fixed July 7, 2026, for the hearing of all pending applications and the substantive suit after ordering an accelerated hearing in view of INEC’s electoral timetable. The group added that counsel to the plaintiffs informed the court that political parties had already begun receiving Candidates’ Access Codes and requested that the Turaki-led leadership also be issued the code to avoid irreparable prejudice before the case is determined.
HURIWA maintained that, in the circumstances, INEC should refrain from taking any administrative step capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or rendering the pending proceedings academic. It stressed that the commission’s constitutional responsibility extends beyond conducting elections to ensuring that its actions inspire public confidence through strict adherence to the rule of law and institutional neutrality.
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The group urged INEC to publicly state if no Candidates’ Access Code had been issued to any PDP faction and reassure Nigerians that it would abide by the eventual decision of the courts.
However, if the commission had already issued the code despite the pending legal dispute, HURIWA called on it to review the decision in the interest of justice, fairness and constitutional order, insisting that any issuance should instead be made to the interim leadership constituted by the PDP Board of Trustees.
It warned that actions perceived as pre-empting the outcome of the pending litigation could deepen political tensions and diminish public trust in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging INEC to act strictly within the law and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and the authority of the courts.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
