By Odita Sunday
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clarify the implications of a statement by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that he is “in charge” of the political structures in Rivers State and the FCT ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
HURIWA, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, on Thursday, September 3, 2026, said Wike’s declaration that he was certain of delivering both territories to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu raised serious questions about the neutrality and credibility of the electoral process.
Wike reportedly made the comment during a media chat with selected journalists in Abuja, where he described himself as the “general commander” of the political structure in Rivers State and said he was equally in charge in the FCT.
He was quoted as saying, “It is certain that I will deliver two states, FCT and Rivers for Tinubu. You don’t need a governor to be in charge. I’m the general commander of the political structure in Rivers. In Rivers, I’m in charge. So also the FCT.”
Reacting, HURIWA said the declaration should not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric, arguing that it raised fundamental questions about public confidence in the electoral umpire ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation questioned how a political actor could express such certainty about the outcome of an election yet to be conducted and whether Wike’s comments suggested that he had access to information about the expected outcome that was not available to Nigerians.
HURIWA consequently asked INEC to clarify whether its electoral processes remained independent of political actors, including the FCT Minister.
According to the rights group, the credibility of an election begins long before election day, with public confidence in the neutrality and independence of the electoral commission.
It said Wike’s declaration was “provocative and insensitive,” particularly against the backdrop of persistent concerns over electoral manipulation, political interference and the abuse of state institutions.
HURIWA urged INEC to introduce and publicise additional confidence-building measures to reassure Nigerians that the 2027 elections would be conducted transparently, independently and without interference from political actors.
The group stressed that no minister, governor, political party leader or influential political actor should be perceived as having the power to predetermine an election outcome before voters cast their ballots.
While acknowledging Wike’s right to mobilise political support for his preferred candidate and deploy his political influence within the law, HURIWA said his public declaration that he was certain of delivering Rivers State and the FCT to Tinubu created an “uncomfortable perception” requiring clarification.
The organisation challenged INEC to demonstrate through concrete actions, rather than assurances, that every vote would count and that the outcome of the 2027 election would be determined by voters rather than political “commanders” or alleged backroom arrangements.
HURIWA said Nigeria could not afford another electoral process shrouded in suspicion, insisting that the 2027 elections must be free, fair, transparent, credible and demonstrably independent.
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