The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused the Ohanaeze Youth Forum (OYF) of pressuring an electoral official without evidence. It warned that the push to remove INEC National Commissioner Dr Ken Nnamdi Ukeagu could be an attempt at intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The rights group said the demand to pull Ukeagu from supervising Imo, Anambra and Ebonyi states was premature. It said the allegations against him have not been substantiated.
The dispute began when OYF accused the commissioner of abandoning his neutrality. The youth forum alleged that he has partisan ties with Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi and other opposition politicians in the South-East.
OYF also claimed he leaked confidential electoral documents and offered consultancy services to opposition candidates. It demanded his redeployment pending an investigation.
HURIWA rejected the campaign as potentially politically motivated. It cautioned against damaging the reputations of electoral officials with claims that no one has independently verified.
In a statement, National Coordinator Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko described Ukeagu as an experienced electoral administrator. His record, the association said, should be judged objectively, not through “trial by public accusation.”
The group also suggested that disgruntled political interests may be exploiting the controversy to pressure him, particularly if he had resisted attempts to compromise his duties. It added that this suspicion, too, needs evidence, and that neither the commissioner nor his accusers should escape scrutiny.
HURIWA then put the burden on OYF. “If the Ohanaeze Youth Forum has credible evidence of misconduct, it should submit the evidence to INEC for a transparent investigation instead of seeking to secure the commissioner’s redeployment through public pressure,” it said.
The association warned that letting political groups decide where electoral officials are posted could undermine INEC’s independence and erode public trust in the polls.
It urged INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan to resist the pressure and to handle the matter strictly according to evidence, due process and professional standards.
According to HURIWA, the credibility of the 2027 elections depends on punishing proven misconduct and on shielding officials from politically motivated attacks. Complaints of malpractice must be investigated, it said, but accusations alone cannot prove guilt.
The association reaffirmed its commitment to electoral integrity, accountability and the protection of public institutions from undue political interference.
