The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has strongly condemned reported incidents of violence, voter intimidation and vote-buying that characterised the Ekiti State governorship election and several by-elections, describing the development as a disturbing setback for Nigeria’s democratic process.
HURIWA said the recurring electoral irregularities under the supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) show that Nigeria’s elections continue to face serious ethical, legal and credibility challenges that must be urgently addressed.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the group expressed disappointment that despite the deployment of security personnel and operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), reports of vote-buying, intimidation of voters and isolated violence were still recorded in some polling units.
The association described the situation as unacceptable, warning that elections cannot be considered free and fair when citizens are allegedly threatened, induced with money, or prevented from freely exercising their right to vote.
HURIWA criticised security agencies for failing to meet expectations, noting that their presence at polling units did not translate into effective prevention of electoral offences. It said the continued recurrence of such incidents raises serious questions about enforcement capacity and commitment to electoral integrity.
The group also warned that vote-buying has become increasingly normalised in Nigeria’s elections, stressing that the trend undermines democracy by turning the electoral process into a financial transaction rather than a contest of ideas.
HURIWA called on the EFCC to immediately prosecute all individuals arrested or identified in connection with vote-buying and other electoral offences during the elections. It said arrests without prosecution would amount to encouraging impunity and weakening public trust in the justice system.
The organisation further urged INEC, the EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services to strengthen collaboration ahead of the Osun State governorship election and the 2027 general elections, in order to prevent a repeat of the reported irregularities.
According to HURIWA, Nigeria risks further damage to its democratic credibility if electoral offenders continue to operate without consequence. It stressed that protecting elections requires not just deployment of security personnel, but firm enforcement of the law before, during and after voting.
The group maintained that urgent reforms and coordinated action among relevant institutions are necessary to safeguard the integrity of future elections and restore public confidence in the electoral process.