HURIWA Decries Sale of Forms by Party Factions, Seeks Probe

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned what it described as the illegal and unchecked sale of nomination forms by rival factions within political parties across the country, calling for a full-scale investigation by relevant authorities.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group said the development reflects a deepening crisis within Nigeria’s political system and a worrying disregard for due process.

HURIWA expressed concern that multiple factions within the same political parties are allegedly collecting money from aspirants through parallel sale of nomination forms, despite unresolved leadership disputes.

The group said the situation has created confusion, weakened public trust in political institutions, and exposed aspirants to what it described as “financial exploitation under the guise of party politics.”

According to the statement, the trend amounts to political fraud and must not be ignored by security and anti-corruption agencies.

“What is even more disturbing is that these factionalised parties are now openly selling nomination forms. Almost every faction is collecting huge sums of money from unsuspecting politicians across the country,” HURIWA said.

The rights group questioned the legality of such actions, warning that Nigeria risks sliding into political disorder if the trend continues unchecked.

“Is Nigeria now a banana republic? How can different factions, with unresolved leadership disputes, all be selling nomination forms at the same time?” the statement queried.

HURIWA also accused relevant institutions of failing to act despite public reports of parallel party structures operating without clear legal recognition.

It criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for what it described as reluctance to decisively address leadership disputes within political parties.

“INEC must stop sitting on the fence. Nigerians cannot continue to watch this level of confusion, fraud, and institutional paralysis,” the group said.

The association further urged anti-corruption and security agencies to investigate financial transactions linked to the sale of nomination forms, insisting that accountability must be enforced regardless of political affiliation.

It also raised concerns about what it described as institutional silence from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Nigeria Police Force.

“What exactly are EFCC, ICPC, the police and INEC doing?” HURIWA asked. “Why are law enforcement agencies folding their hands while people openly collect billions of naira through questionable political activities?”

The group warned that continued inaction could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process and damage the country’s international reputation.

HURIWA also called for urgent reforms to strengthen internal party democracy and prevent further abuse of party structures by competing factions.

It urged political actors to respect due process and cautioned that democracy cannot thrive where illegality is tolerated within party systems.

The association maintained that a credible investigation is necessary to restore public confidence and prevent further erosion of political accountability in the country.