Electoral Justice First: INEC Urged By Rights Monitors, HURMA to Reject Dapo Abiodun’s Senatorial Nomination Pending Court Verdict – Rights Monitors

A lead Nigerian Human Rights and Anti-Corruption body، the Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA Global Resource Initiative) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to reject the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun’s Senatorial nomination, pending judicial review in determination of Suit No. FHC/L/CS/291/2026 at Ikoyi Federal High Court.

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The group made this call in a recent petition to the Chairman of
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, signed by the Executive Director of HURMA, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak.

The group called on INEC to uphold the principles of electoral justice, constitutionalism, transparency, and the rule of law in the preparation for the 2027 general elections.

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The petition reads:

“As a non-partisan human rights and accountability organization, HURMA believes that the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy depends not only on free and fair elections but also on ensuring that candidates seeking public office satisfy all constitutional requirements and are free from unresolved legal and integrity-related controversies.

“In this regard, HURMA calls on INEC to suspend and decline the acceptance of the nomination of Governor Dapo Abiodun as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial candidate for Ogun East Senatorial District pending the final determination of the suit currently before the Federal High Court: Suit No.: FHC/L/CS/291/2026 Between: HURMA Global Resource Initiative & Others Vs. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) & Others”.

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The above matter came up for hearing but the Court did not sit. Consequently, the case has been adjourned to 12 November 2026.

“Given the pendency of this litigation and the legal questions raised therein, HURMA believes that allowing the nomination process to proceed before the Court reaches a determination may undermine public confidence in the electoral process and create avoidable constitutional and political complications.”

“Accordingly, HURMA respectfully urges INEC to:

1. Suspend the acceptance and processing of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s senatorial nomination pending the final judgment of the Federal High Court.
2. Conduct a comprehensive verification of all documents, declarations, affidavits, and qualifications submitted by the aspirant in accordance with the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
3. Uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, accountability, and equal treatment of all aspirants irrespective of political status or influence.
4. Protect the integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process by ensuring that unresolved legal challenges capable of affecting a candidate’s eligibility are fully determined before the nomination is accepted.”

HURMA further calls on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to demonstrate respect for the rule of law by allowing the judicial process to run its full course before presenting any candidate whose eligibility is the subject of pending litigation.

“Electoral justice demands that the rule of law prevails over political expediency. Respect for due process strengthens democratic institutions, safeguards the credibility of elections, and reinforces public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic system.

“We trust that INEC will discharge its constitutional mandate impartially, courageously, and in the best interest of Nigeria’s democracy.”

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