The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria has raised the alarm over what it describes as the growing use of traditional palaces, religious platforms and academic institutions as campaign grounds for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
HURIWA in a statement by its national Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko accused the ruling All Progressives Congress and its campaign machinery of exploiting institutions that command enormous public respect and influence to promote partisan political interests.
The rights group said the reported visits by the Presidential Campaign Council to first-class traditional rulers, coupled with public endorsements of Tinubu, represented a disturbing development that should attract intense scrutiny ahead of the 2027 polls.
HURIWA’s warning followed reported endorsements of Tinubu by the Oba of Lagos, Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, and student leaders representing tertiary institutions across the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Oba of Lagos had reportedly declared that there would be no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2027, a position HURIWA described as an inappropriate use of traditional influence in an electoral contest that should ultimately be decided by voters.
The association said traditional palaces, religious establishments and academic institutions must not be allowed to become extensions of campaign headquarters for the ruling party or any other political organisation.
HURIWA, however, acknowledged that traditional rulers, clerics, academics, students and private citizens have the constitutional right to support candidates of their choice.
It argued that the concern arises when individual political preferences are projected through institutions whose influence and legitimacy extend beyond partisan politics.
According to the group, repeated political endorsements from such institutions could undermine their neutrality, credibility and moral authority, particularly in an election environment where public confidence in institutions is critical.
HURIWA warned that no traditional ruler, religious leader, university authority or student organisation has the constitutional power to decide how Nigerians will vote.
“The people, and only the people through their votes, possess that democratic authority,” the association said.
It consequently challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission to resist partisan pressure and protect the electoral process from institutional interference.
The group also urged security and law-enforcement agencies to prevent intimidation, threats, inducement or coercion of Nigerians over their political choices.
HURIWA demanded a level playing field for all political parties, warning that the political machinery of the ruling party should not overwhelm institutions traditionally regarded as neutral spaces.
The association particularly appealed to traditional rulers to protect the historic standing of their palaces, arguing that the authority of traditional institutions should survive individual governments and political parties.
“A palace belongs to the people and history; it must not become a campaign office for any political party,” HURIWA said.
The rights group similarly urged religious and academic institutions to defend their independence and reject what it called partisan exploitation of their platforms.
HURIWA warned that the credibility of the 2027 election would depend not only on the conduct of voting and collation but also on whether Nigerians perceive the pre-election environment as open, competitive and free from undue institutional influence.
The association urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist any attempt to replace the constitutional choice of voters with the political preferences of influential individuals or institutions.