By Emmanuel Elebeke

ABUJA — The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to immediately enforce the judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming the legitimacy of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors in Osun State.

At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, called for urgent federal intervention to uphold the rule of law by directing the Inspector-General of Police to expel All Progressives Congress (APC) loyalists who, despite a binding court judgment, continue to occupy local government secretariats in the state.

“The rule of law is the cornerstone of any democracy and must be protected at all costs,” Onwubiko stated. “President Tinubu must now choose between defending the Constitution or endorsing impunity.”

HURIWA recalled that the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, on June 3, 2024, dismissed an appeal filed by the APC seeking to reverse a previous judgment of the Osun State High Court, which nullified the controversial May 2022 local government elections held under former Governor Gboyega Oyetola. The court upheld the PDP’s mandate and declared the elections illegal.

Despite these rulings, HURIWA expressed concern that APC-aligned individuals, backed by heavily armed police officers, continue to obstruct access to the secretariats, effectively preventing PDP officials from assuming office.

“The Attorney-General of the Federation, as the chief law officer of the country, must act decisively,” Onwubiko said. “We respect Mr. Fagbemi’s integrity, but he must now direct the enforcement of the court’s ruling without delay.”

The group commended Osun State Attorney-General, Wole Jimi-Bada, for standing by the rule of law and rejecting the unlawful police-backed occupation. It also called for collaboration between the federal and state governments to restore constitutional order across the 30 local government areas and development councils.

“Government institutions must not be reduced to tools of political conquest,” HURIWA warned.

Citing the legal opinion of Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), the group noted that the Court of Appeal’s ruling is “final, binding, and not subject to any stay or political interpretation.” Disregarding such judgments, HURIWA said, amounts to promoting anarchy and undermining public trust in the judiciary.

“The use of state-backed force to impose party loyalists in office is a dangerous return to authoritarianism,” Onwubiko added. “This is not just a political crisis—it is a constitutional violation and a direct affront to the will of the people.”

HURIWA demanded that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, immediately withdraw police officers shielding the illegal occupants and ensure that the PDP officials assume their rightful positions.

“Anything short of this would imply federal complicity in lawlessness,” the group warned. “The Attorney-General must not turn a blind eye while anarchy festers.”

The association further urged President Tinubu to demonstrate statesmanship by distancing his administration from the ongoing illegality in Osun State and reaffirming his commitment to constitutional democracy.

“This is a defining moment for Mr. President to prove that his administration respects the rule of law. Nigerians are watching,” the statement noted.

HURIWA also called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society groups, and all defenders of democracy to speak out against the erosion of judicial authority.

“What is happening in Osun is a national threat to justice, democracy, and due process,” HURIWA concluded, pledging to continue its advocacy until PDP-elected officials are reinstated and constitutional order is restored.