The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised alarm that worsening poverty across the country, which it described as politically engineered, could seriously undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released on Sunday, the national Cordinator of the Civi Right group Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, alleged that political office holders at both federal and state levels have deliberately failed to pursue pro-people and inclusive economic policies, opting instead to maintain widespread poverty in order to make voters more vulnerable to inducement during elections.
HURIWA claimed that many politicians believe economic hardship weakens voters’ resistance to vote-buying, thereby making it easier to influence electoral outcomes through cash and material inducements.
The group accused governments of selectively empowering political allies through lucrative appointments and contracts, allegedly to build financial war chests ahead of the 2027 polls. It also criticised recent adjustments to campaign finance ceilings by the National Assembly, arguing that they further entrench elite dominance and shut out candidates without wealthy political godfathers.
According to HURIWA, the persistent implementation of policies marked by high taxes, rising tariffs, and escalating living costs has left millions of Nigerians struggling to survive, creating fertile ground for electoral manipulation.
The association warned that poverty levels may deepen further in 2026, barely months before the next general elections. It cited the Nigeria Economic Outlook 2026 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which reportedly projects that about 141 million Nigerians—nearly 62 per cent of the population—could be living below the poverty line by 2026.
The report, titled “Turning Macroeconomic Stability into Sustainable Growth,” paints a bleak picture of declining living standards, with weak income growth and persistent inflation expected to continue eroding household purchasing power.
HURIWA also referenced projections by the World Bank and the World Food Programme (WFP), which indicate rising food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly among children. According to WFP estimates, over 13 million children in West and Central Africa may suffer malnutrition in 2026, with Nigeria bearing a significant share of the burden.
The group expressed concern that past incidents of vote-buying, including during the 2023 general elections, have emboldened politicians due to weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws and poor accountability.
It further criticised the use of so-called “stomach infrastructure,” arguing that palliatives, constituency projects, and budgetary interventions are often deployed as political tools to influence voters rather than to deliver sustainable development.
HURIWA warned that unless deliberate steps are taken to reverse mass poverty and strengthen electoral integrity, the 2027 elections risk being compromised by inducement, manipulation, and public disenchantment.
Politically Engineered Poverty May Undermine 2027 Elections — HURIWA
