By Odita Sunday
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised fresh concerns over what it described as selective compliance with judicial rulings by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), questioning whether the electoral body is applying the law equally across political parties or acting in ways that could favour the political interests of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a statement issued on June 19, 2026, by Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA warned that the perceived inconsistency in obeying court judgments could undermine public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process and weaken confidence in institutions expected to operate independently and impartially.
The rights group pointed to what it described as INEC’s swift implementation of judicial decisions affecting the leadership crisis in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), including the recognition of Professor Umar Abubakar Gombe as National Chairman, while alleging that the commission has failed to act with similar urgency regarding judicial pronouncements on the leadership structure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to HURIWA, INEC has yet to recognise Alhaji Tanimu Turaki as Interim National Chairman of the PDP despite what the group said were decisions backed by the courts and appointments made by the party’s recognised Board of Trustees.
The association argued that the contrasting treatment of both parties raises questions about whether all political parties are being subjected to the same legal standards.
“It is difficult for objective observers of Nigeria’s democratic landscape to understand why INEC is swift in implementing judicial pronouncements that affect one political party while appearing reluctant or unwilling to give effect to similar judicial decisions concerning another party,” HURIWA stated.
“If court orders are binding on INEC in the case of the SDP, why are court orders apparently not binding when it comes to the internal leadership issues of the PDP? Is there one law for the SDP and another law for the PDP? Nigerians deserve answers.”
HURIWA also referenced a recent Court of Appeal judgment which it claimed nullified the March 29, 2026 convention conducted by the faction linked to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on grounds that the legal authority underpinning the convention had expired.
According to the group, the appellate court held that the tenure of the faction’s National Legal Adviser had elapsed and that no credible evidence of a valid re-election existed, thereby invalidating actions arising from the disputed convention.
The organisation warned that selective interpretation or implementation of court decisions could heighten political tensions and reinforce suspicions that state institutions are being deployed to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
HURIWA further called on INEC to publicly respond to allegations made by SDP presidential flagbearer, Prince Adewole Adebayo, who had suggested that some state institutions were being manipulated to advance the political interests of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“INEC owes Nigerians a duty of transparency. The commission must openly demonstrate through its actions that it is not operating from the pockets of any politician or political party. It must reassure Nigerians that it remains an independent constitutional body committed solely to the rule of law and democratic principles,” the statement added.
The group urged INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, and the commission’s leadership to provide a comprehensive explanation over what it described as disparities in handling the SDP and PDP leadership disputes and ensure that all court decisions are implemented uniformly and without bias.
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