By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain what it described as the Commission’s alleged failure to fully implement court decisions relating to the leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

HURIWA, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, expressed concern over INEC’s alleged refusal to publicly recognise and implement the interim leadership arrangement reportedly constituted by the PDP Board of Trustees under the leadership of Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, SAN.

“The central issue is straightforward: Why is INEC appearing to selectively respond to developments within the PDP while remaining silent on judicial decisions that carry significant legal implications for the party’s leadership and administrative framework?” the association queried.

The group maintained that INEC, as an independent constitutional body, was established to regulate political parties and conduct elections strictly in accordance with the law.

“It was not created to choose which court judgments to acknowledge and which to ignore,” HURIWA stated.

According to the association, recent judicial pronouncements have raised fundamental legal questions regarding the status of certain PDP officials, the validity of suspensions, the implications of the Supreme Court’s nullification of the Ibadan Convention, and actions subsequently taken by individuals and structures linked to that convention.

“These are legal questions requiring legal compliance. They are not matters for political convenience or administrative discretion,” it said.

HURIWA further noted what it described as growing perceptions among some PDP members and democratic stakeholders that political interests may be benefiting from institutional reluctance to fully address the legal implications of the judicial decisions.

“Whether such perceptions are accurate or not, INEC bears a constitutional responsibility to conduct itself in a manner that leaves no room for doubts about its neutrality, independence, and fidelity to the rule of law,” the statement said.

The association also drew attention to a recent Court of Appeal judgment concerning the status of former PDP National Legal Adviser, A.K. Ajibade, SAN.

According to HURIWA, the appellate court held that Ajibade’s tenure expired in December 2025 and found no evidence of any valid re-election thereafter.

“The implication of that finding is profound because any legal instructions, authorisations, or processes purportedly undertaken by him after the expiration of his tenure would lack legal validity,” the group argued.

Quoting the judgment, HURIWA stated: “While I agree that the suspension of A.K. Ajibade, SAN, elapsed after one month from 1st November, 2025; yet his tenure of office expired in December, 2025. A.K. Ajibade, SAN, either way could not have issued a valid letter of instruction thereafter, unless there was an intervening circumstance.”

The organisation noted that the judgment further observed that there was no credible evidence establishing any re-election of Ajibade as National Legal Adviser.

HURIWA said the legal effect of the judgment had raised “serious questions regarding the legitimacy of the March 29, 2026 convention reportedly conducted by the faction associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.”

The group subsequently called on INEC to publicly explain why it had not clearly communicated its position regarding the legal consequences of the judicial pronouncements; why it had allegedly failed to recognise the interim leadership structure reportedly constituted by the PDP Board of Trustees under Turaki; the legal basis for any continued recognition of structures affected by adverse judicial findings; and whether it had undertaken any internal legal review of the relevant court decisions.

“The rule of law requires more than court judgments on paper. It requires faithful implementation by public institutions,” HURIWA said.

“No democracy can thrive where judicial decisions are perceived to have no practical consequences. No electoral management body can maintain public confidence if citizens begin to believe that political considerations outweigh constitutional obligations.”

The association urged INEC to provide clarity to Nigerians and demonstrate through its actions that it remained “an independent constitutional institution guided solely by law, justice and democratic principles.”

“The judiciary must be respected. Court judgments must be enforced. Political influence must never supersede constitutional authority,” HURIWA added.

“Nigeria’s democracy depends on the integrity of its institutions and the supremacy of the rule of law.”