The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of allegedly sponsoring violent attacks against opposition political parties across the country.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja and signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the civil rights group alleged that armed political thugs were being mobilised in several states to intimidate and disrupt the activities of opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
HURIWA expressed concern that the attacks appear aimed at weakening opposition parties and creating conditions that could lead to a de facto one-party system ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group criticised security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, for what it described as their inability to prevent the assaults on opposition politicians and party offices.
According to HURIWA, the repeated incidents across several states suggest that those responsible may be acting with political backing.
The organisation also warned that continued attacks on opposition figures could trigger wider political unrest if urgent steps are not taken to safeguard democratic participation.
HURIWA urged Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that Nigeria’s multiparty democratic system is protected by directing security agencies to guarantee the safety of all political actors regardless of party affiliation.
“A situation where opposition politicians are violently attacked while setting up party offices in certain states raises serious concerns about the future of democratic competition in Nigeria,” the group said, adding that no political party holds a monopoly on violence.
The organisation cautioned that failure to act decisively could jeopardise the prospects of a peaceful 2027 election.
HURIWA cited several recent incidents to support its claims. One occurred in Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, where suspected political thugs reportedly disrupted the planned opening of an ADC secretariat on Saturday.
According to reports, the attackers stormed the venue, dispersed party supporters, and destroyed canopies, loudspeakers, chairs, and other equipment arranged for the ceremony.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident, describing the attackers as hoodlums. Police spokesperson Sunday Eitokpah said officers were deployed to restore order after the disruption.
The command said the event could not proceed due to the chaotic situation, adding that no arrests had been made at the time because of the volatile circumstances.
HURIWA also recalled an earlier incident in Benin City, Edo State, where suspected thugs allegedly attacked opposition figures, including former Peter Obi and former APC National Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, during a political gathering.
According to Yunusa Tanko, a former spokesperson for Obi’s campaign and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, the attackers reportedly followed party leaders from a political event to Odigie-Oyegun’s residence, where vehicles were vandalised and gunshots were fired at the gate.
HURIWA said similar disruptions were also reported during the inauguration of ADC transition committee members in Maiduguri, Borno State, where party officials alleged that the violence was orchestrated to suppress opposition activities.
The group called on the federal government to ensure that all political parties can operate freely across the country, warning that Nigeria’s democratic stability could be threatened if opposition voices continue to face intimidation.
HURIWA Accuses APC Governors of Sponsoring Attacks on Opposition Parties
