Rights group commends Army’s recent counter-terrorism reports, urges service chiefs to forge stronger joint strategy
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed deep concern over the reported decision of the European Union (EU) to decline the deployment of a full-scale election observation mission to Nigeria for the 2027 general elections, describing the development as a bad omen for Nigeria’s democracy and international democratic reputation.
HURIWA said the decision, reportedly linked to the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria and the alleged hostile treatment of EU observers and officials following the 2023 elections, should not be treated casually by the Federal Government.
The organisation said the development ought to serve as a serious wake-up call to the government, security agencies and all stakeholders responsible for safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
HURIWA recalled that the European Union has maintained a substantial election observation presence in Nigeria over several electoral cycles. Its reported decision to limit its involvement in the 2027 elections to a small number of officials in Abuja, without long-term observers across the states, short-term observers on election day or a chief observer, is therefore a significant development that should concern every Nigerian.
We consider this a bad omen that demands urgent corrective action.
Nigeria cannot build a credible democracy in an environment where insecurity prevents citizens from freely travelling, political parties from campaigning, electoral officials from reaching polling units and observers from independently monitoring elections.
The security situation must therefore be treated as a fundamental component of the preparations for the 2027 general elections.
TERRORISTS MUST NOT DETERMINE NIGERIA’S DEMOCRATIC FUTURE
HURIWA strongly calls on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intensify the national war against terrorism, banditry, insurgency and other violent criminal activities capable of threatening the 2027 electoral process.
The objective must be to create a sufficiently peaceful and secure atmosphere in which Nigerians can campaign, vote and participate in the democratic process without fear.
Terrorists and other criminal groups must never be allowed to determine where Nigerians can travel, where candidates can campaign or whether citizens can exercise their constitutional right to vote.
We therefore call for sustained military pressure against terrorist networks and their collaborators, including the disruption of their logistics, financing, recruitment and operational capabilities.
HURIWA COMMENDS CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF
HURIWA also wishes to commend the Chief of Army Staff for what we consider the recent commendable reports coming from the Nigerian Army in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
These developments demonstrate that when our security forces are properly motivated, equipped, strategically coordinated and professionally led, meaningful progress can be achieved in the battle against terrorism and other security threats.
We urge the Chief of Army Staff not to relent in this direction and to continue building upon the recent operational gains.
At the same time, we call on all the service chiefs to continuously work out far-reaching strategic joint partnerships and coordinated operational mechanisms capable of delivering a decisive blow against terrorist organisations operating in Nigeria.
SERVICE CHIEFS MUST FIGHT TERRORISM AS ONE
HURIWA strongly advocates greater synergy among the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police Force and intelligence agencies.
Terrorists do not operate according to institutional boundaries. They move across forests, communities, borders and geopolitical zones, and exploit gaps between security agencies.
Nigeria’s security architecture must therefore respond with an equally coordinated strategy.
We call for deeper intelligence sharing, joint operational planning, coordinated air and ground operations and stronger mechanisms for tracking terrorist logistics and financing.
The objective should not merely be the periodic elimination of individual terrorists but the systematic dismantling of the networks that recruit, finance, arm, transport and shelter them.
EU DECISION SHOULD TRIGGER NATIONAL SOUL-SEARCHING
HURIWA equally urges the Federal Government to carefully examine the second reason reportedly given by the EU—the alleged hostile treatment of its observers and officials following the publication of its 2023 election report.
International election observers must never be treated as enemies because their reports contain criticisms of the conduct of Nigerian elections.
Where observers identify weaknesses in electoral administration, the appropriate democratic response is to examine the findings, correct the weaknesses and strengthen the system.
We therefore call on the Federal Government and political actors to guarantee a safe and conducive environment for all accredited domestic and international election observers during the 2027 elections.
SECURE 2027 BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE
HURIWA maintains that the 2027 general elections cannot be secured merely through election-day deployment of security personnel.
The security of the election begins now.
Political candidates must be able to travel across the country. Political parties must be able to organise lawful campaigns. Electoral officials must be able to access every part of the country. Journalists and observers must be able to perform their duties without intimidation, while voters must be able to reach polling units without fear.
We therefore call on the Federal Government to:
Intensify the counter-terrorism campaign nationwide;
Strengthen strategic cooperation among the service chiefs;
Improve intelligence sharing among all security and intelligence agencies;
Dismantle terrorist logistics, financing and recruitment networks;
Secure vulnerable communities and transportation corridors;
Protect INEC facilities, personnel and electoral materials;
Guarantee the safety of political candidates, observers, journalists and voters;
And ensure that Nigeria’s 2027 elections take place in a peaceful and secure environment.
HURIWA believes that the fight against terrorism is inseparable from the fight to preserve democracy.
The reported EU decision should therefore not be reduced to a diplomatic embarrassment or dismissed as foreign interference. It should be treated as a warning signal that Nigeria must urgently restore security and confidence in its democratic process.
We urge President Tinubu, the Chief of Army Staff and all other service chiefs to seize the present opportunity to build on recent military gains and establish a sustained, coordinated and far-reaching campaign capable of defeating terrorism.
Nigeria must not allow terrorists to become the invisible election observers of 2027 by determining where citizens can vote, where candidates can campaign and where observers can go.
A peaceful Nigeria is the foundation of a credible election.
Signed:
Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
National Coordinator
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA). Monday August 10th 2026
