General
Human Rights Watch Condemns Deadly Crackdown on Shia Protesters
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Authorities in Nigeria have been criticised by the Human Rights Watch for the “excessive use of force” on members of the Shia Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) during their peaceful protest in Abuja, on July 22, 2019.
At the demonstration, which later turned deadly, Nigerian police fired shots at the religious group who are demanding the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky, who has been kept in detention since 2015 by the government despite court granting him bail to seek medical attention.
At Monday’s protest, a senior policeman and a journalist with Channels Television were among the 11 persons killed during a fracas between members of the Shia Movement and the cops.
Reacting to the incident in a statement on Tuesday, the Human Rights Watch called on the authorities to allow the detained religious leader proper medical care.
“The Nigerian police’s apparent rush to use firearms against Shia movement protesters is unlawful and counterproductive,” said Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The authorities should bring an end to their violent crackdown on the Shia Islamic Movement in Nigeria, and investigate the excessive use of force by the police.”
The July 22 protest began at about 12:30 p.m., when several thousand protesters marched toward the Federal Government Secretariat to register their grievances. As they approached the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Police Force opened fire and threw teargas at the protesters, said Mohammed Ibrahim Gamawa, a member of the Resource Forum, an IMN-associated group.
Gamawa said he saw the police shoot two women and two men and that the women were shot in the head. A local journalist said he saw 11 bodies of protesters who had been shot. The Shia movement also said that about 11 had died.
At least 30 members of the group were injured, Gamawa said. He said that in many cases, hospital staff wouldn’t treat gunshot wounds unless the victims first presented a police report, to ensure the police are notified of gun incidents.
“They started shooting toward us, at everyone – they didn’t care who the bullets hit,” said a 26-year-old University of Abuja student. “A bullet hit my left leg, and I was carried away by my brothers in the movement.” He said that he participated in the march with his friends until policemen opened fire on the group. He said he went to the university hospital’s emergency room but left when police arrived to arrest protesters. “We have changed our location twice because we’re afraid of the police. The bullet is still in my leg; I think my leg is broken. I feel so much pain all over my body.”
A 20-year-old protester said that he was shot in the ankle. He was afraid he would be arrested if he went to the hospital, so he was being treated in hiding by friends with medical training.
The Nigerian broadcaster Channels Television Station reported that a stray bullet killed one of their journalists covering the protest, Precious Owolabi.
The police issued a statement on July 22, confirming the death of Deputy Commissioner of Police Usman A.K Umar, who the police claim was shot by the protesters. The statement said that two other senior police officials were also injured by protesters who “violently attacked innocent citizens and Police personnel on duty” and “also razed down a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Response Post close to the Federal Secretariat, Abuja and two (2) vehicles.”
The Shia movement denied all allegations of violence by their members who took part in the protest. They alleged that the police were responsible for the deaths of Deputy Commissioner Umar and the reporter.
The police announced that they had arrested 54 IMN members since the protest. They are currently “under interrogation” but have not been charged.
Nigerian security forces should abide by the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, Human Rights Watch said. The Basic Principles state that security forces shall “apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force and firearms,” and that whenever the lawful use of force and firearms is unavoidable, security forces should exercise restraint and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offense and the legitimate objective to be achieved. They should also minimize injury and preserve human life. The intentional lethal use of firearms may only be made “when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life.” The Basic Principles further provide that in cases of death or serious injury, “a detailed report shall be sent promptly to the competent authorities.”
Nigerian judicial officials and the National Human Rights Commission should carry out credible, impartial investigations into the violence during the July 22 protest, Human Rights Watch said. Those responsible for the unlawful use of force should be brought to justice in fair trials. Authorities should immediately release protesters who were arbitrarily arrested and who have not been charged with a credible offense, and they should ensure that all injured protesters have safe access to urgent medical care.
Nigerian authorities have used excessive force against Islamic Movement in Nigeria protests since 2015, Human Rights Watch said. On December 12, 2015, the Nigerian army used excessive force against the group’s street procession in Zaria, Kaduna State, in northwest Nigeria, allegedly to clear the way for the army chief’s convoy. In an ensuing three-day crackdown, the army killed 347 members of the group and arrested hundreds more, including the group’s leader, El Zakzaky, and his wife, Ibraheemat.
In September 2016, a Kaduna State Judicial Commission of Inquiry recommended prosecuting soldiersinvolved in the Zaria killings. State prosecutors ignored that recommendation. However, they brought charges against 177 members of the Shia movement for the killing of Cpl. Dan Kaduna Yakubu, the only military casualty in the incident.
IMN representatives allege that subsequent crackdowns on the group’s activities and protests in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Yobe, Plateau, Sokoto, and Abuja calling for justice and the release of their leader have resulted in the deaths of at least 110 people.
In one of the most violent incidents, in October 2018 soldiers opened fire on large groups of Shia protesters in Abuja, killing at least 42 IMN members during three days of protests, according to the group.
Human Rights Watch confirmed that at least 21 people were fatally shot during the violence in Karu, Abuja on October 29.
“Nigerian authorities should put an end to using excessive and lethal force against processions and protesters,” Ewang said. “Those responsible for the latest deadly crackdown on Shia movement members, as well as the earlier bloody incidents, should be fairly brought to justice.”
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has approached the court against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over an alleged N800 billion campaign fund diversion.
The organisation is seeking to compel the electoral body to investigate allegations that about N800 million from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations was diverted by governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to finance political and campaign activities.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja last week, but no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus directing INEC to investigate the claims that the governors channelled public funds into a dedicated campaign account allegedly meant to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The organisation is also requesting an order compelling INEC to demand full disclosure from the governors and the APC on any contributions made to such a campaign fund, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds.
In addition, SERAP wants the electoral commission to commence a comprehensive review of compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by political parties and candidates, particularly regarding campaign financing and the sources of political donations.
According to SERAP, the allegations raise fundamental concerns about transparency in political financing, electoral fairness and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to participate freely in democratic governance.
The organisation argued that opaque campaign financing remains a major avenue for corruption and weakens public confidence in democratic institutions.
It maintained that the alleged misuse of public funds for political purposes threatens the credibility of the 2027 general election and undermines public trust in the electoral process.
In the suit filed by its lawyers, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare and Ms Kehinde Oyewumi, SERAP argued that the reported diversion of public resources for campaign activities warrants immediate action by INEC under its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
The group stated: “The abuse of state resources for electoral advantage undermines democratic integrity and public trust. Fairness, transparency, and accountability in political or campaign finance are essential safeguards against corruption, state capture, and undue influence in democratic processes.”
SERAP further argued: “The allegations of diversion or opaque use of public funds pose a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.”
The organisation said large-scale public financial allocations, combined with weak oversight and limited transparency, provide sufficient grounds for INEC to activate its investigative powers.
Referring to Section 91 of the Electoral Act, SERAP noted that the law empowers INEC to regulate political donations, enforce contribution limits, demand disclosure of funding sources and impose sanctions where violations occur.
The organisation explained that political parties found to have exceeded donation limits risk fines of up to ₦10 million and forfeiture of excess funds, while individuals who exceed prescribed limits are liable to penalties amounting to five times the excess contribution.
SERAP also contended that campaign financing derived from public resources distorts electoral competition and violates constitutional principles guaranteeing free, fair and transparent elections.
According to SERAP, INEC has a constitutional duty to ensure compliance with campaign finance regulations and to investigate allegations that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has shifted the deadline for political parties to submit the names and credentials of candidates seeking to contest the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The electoral body announced that parties now have until midnight on Tuesday, July 14, to complete the process, extending the earlier deadline of Saturday, July 11.
Under INEC’s timetable for the 2027 general election, political parties were expected to upload the names and personal particulars of their presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates before the initial cut-off date.
Explaining the decision, INEC said the extension followed appeals from political parties that had encountered difficulties meeting the deadline.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Mohammed Haruna, said the request was formally conveyed through the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
According to him, IPAC sought additional time on behalf of parties that were yet to complete the submission of their candidates’ details through the commission’s portal.
“The decision to extend was based on an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council, on behalf of political parties who were unable to upload the names and personal particulars of their candidates within the scheduled timeline,” Mr Haruna stated.
INEC noted that the extension is intended to give all eligible parties a fair opportunity to comply with the requirements of the electoral process while remaining within the framework of the law.
The commission also urged political parties to utilise the extra period to finalise and upload all required information ahead of the revised deadline.
“The commission enjoins political parties to take advantage of this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline,” the statement added.
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, will run as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Tinubu retained Mr Shettima as his running mate for re-election next year, according to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a post on Friday on X, the ruling party chairman described this as “another significant milestone in the journey of our great party.”
He also said it reaffirms the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.
It was gathered that Mr Tinubu submitted his presidential nomination forms today through his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Mr Ibrahim Masari.
The submission was done ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, attended by several party chieftains, including The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.
“The All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the party leader stated.
