The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned that shrinking civic space, political intimidation and impunity for electoral offences pose serious threats to the credibility of the 2027 general elections, urging relevant authorities to take urgent steps to address the challenges ahead of the polls.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Anthony Ojukwu, gave the warning at the 2026 Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders Forum on the State of Human Rights in Abuja, organised by the NHRC with support from the European Union (EU).
The forum, with the theme, “Protecting Human Rights in Civic and Political Spaces in the 2027 Elections,” was held as Nigeria prepares for the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, and governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027.
Ojukwu disclosed that the Commission completed 2,458 investigations and conducted 113 monitoring visits to police stations, correctional centres and other places of detention within the period under review.
He said the figures underscored the need for stronger institutional responses, accountability and sustained protection of fundamental human rights, particularly as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
On preparations for the polls, the executive secretary said the NHRC’s Human Rights Election Situation Room would operate round-the-clock throughout the election period.
He explained that the initiative would be supported by monthly human rights dashboards and bulletins, deployment of monitors to identified hotspots and legal aid partnerships to provide assistance where violations occur.
The Commission also welcomed the recent passage of the NHRC Amendment Bill, which incorporates the Human Rights Defenders Bill, describing it as an important step towards strengthening the protection of individuals and organisations working to promote human rights.
It, however, renewed its call for the establishment of a dedicated Electoral Offences Commission to address electoral crimes and strengthen accountability in the country’s electoral process.
Other participants at the forum included the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, a representative of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and officials of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
