HURIWA Demands INEC Clarification Over Wike’s ‘I’m in Charge’ Claim

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clarify the implications of a declaration by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, that he is “in charge” of the political structures in Rivers State and the FCT ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Wike reportedly made the declaration 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 claimed a similar position 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 to the statement, HURIWA’s national coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the declaration should not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric.

He argued that it raises questions about the integrity, neutrality and credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections.

The organisation questioned how a political actor could express such certainty about the outcome of an election that has not yet been conducted.

HURIWA also asked whether Wike’s statement amounted merely to an expression of political confidence or whether he possessed information about the expected outcome of the 2027 presidential election that was not available to the Nigerian public.

“Is INEC a stooge of the FCT Minister?” the organisation asked, urging the electoral commission to address the concerns raised by the declaration.

According to HURIWA, the credibility of an election begins long before election day and depends largely on public confidence in the neutrality and independence of the electoral umpire.

The group maintained that no individual, political office holder or political structure should be perceived as having the capacity to predetermine the outcome of an election before voters cast their ballots.

HURIWA described Wike’s declaration that he was certain of delivering Rivers State and the FCT to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as provocative, particularly against the backdrop of persistent concerns over electoral manipulation, political interference and the abuse of state institutions.

The organisation said INEC had a responsibility to demonstrate to Nigerians that the 2027 presidential election would be decided at the ballot box and not through political arrangements concluded outside the electoral process.

It urged the commission to urgently introduce and publicise additional confidence-building measures capable of reassuring Nigerians that the 2027 elections would be conducted transparently, independently and without interference from political actors.

HURIWA further called on INEC to demonstrate through concrete actions that no minister, governor, political party leader or influential political actor could determine the outcome of an election before Nigerians exercise their franchise.

The rights group acknowledged that Wike was entitled to mobilise political support for his preferred candidate and deploy his political influence within the limits of the law.

However, it argued that publicly declaring certainty about delivering specific territories to a presidential candidate before the election creates an uncomfortable perception that requires clarification.

HURIWA therefore challenged INEC to reassure Nigerians that every vote cast in 2027 would count and that the final outcome would be determined by the electorate rather than political “commanders” or alleged backroom arrangements.

“Nigeria cannot afford another electoral process shrouded in suspicion,” the organisation said, stressing that the 2027 elections must be free, fair, transparent, credible and demonstrably independent.