By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on Nigerians to demand explanations from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other political parties over their decision to field politicians facing unresolved corruption allegations or ongoing prosecutions.

HURIWA said political parties must explain the standards they applied in selecting such candidates and why they consider them fit to seek public office despite pending cases.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, the group described corruption as “Nigeria’s enemy number one” and urged citizens to maintain peaceful pressure on political parties and public institutions to demand accountability.

“Who decided these candidates were fit to seek public office? What standards did the parties apply? What message do they send when they ask citizens to entrust public power to people whose cases remain unresolved?” HURIWA asked.

The group, however, stressed that its position should not be interpreted as declaring anyone facing corruption allegations guilty.

“An allegation is not a conviction, and every accused person is entitled to the presumption of innocence and a fair hearing,” it said, while arguing that the principle should not prevent citizens from questioning political parties about their choices.

HURIWA specifically called on the APC to explain its decisions, while extending the demand to any other party fielding candidates in similar circumstances.

The organisation also renewed its criticism of the handling of high-profile corruption cases involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to keep Nigerians informed about the progress of cases before the courts.

HURIWA acknowledged that the EFCC could not act as a judge or control when courts deliver judgments, but said citizens were entitled to seek factual updates on cases that had attracted significant public attention.

“The EFCC must keep the public informed, pursue its cases diligently and explain any delays within its own responsibility. The judiciary must ensure fair hearings and timely proceedings,” the group said.

HURIWA also rejected what it described as any attempt to characterise citizens’ demands for accountability as harassment, saying public pressure must remain peaceful and lawful.

“If the EFCC calls these demands ‘harassment,’ then HURIWA calls them righteous harassment: the unrelenting, peaceful pressure of citizens who refuse to let powerful people and public institutions bury questions of accountability,” it said.

The group linked corruption to worsening social and economic conditions, arguing that diverted public funds translate into poor infrastructure, inadequate healthcare, insecurity, unemployment and unreliable electricity.

HURIWA therefore urged the APC and other affected political parties to publicly defend their decisions, while calling on the EFCC to pursue corruption cases without fear or favour and provide factual updates where legally permissible.

It also urged the judiciary to safeguard fair hearings and prevent cases from being left to drift without reason, while asking Nigerians to continue demanding accountability from political parties and public institutions.

“Corruption is Nigeria’s enemy number one. Nigerians must reject corruption—loudly, collectively and without exception. No party should be allowed to hide behind political slogans. No public institution should be beyond scrutiny. No one is above the law,” HURIWA said.