Group Asks Tinubu To Sack Federal Agency Chiefs Over 2027 Campaign Involvement

ABUJA—The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately dismiss all Directors-General and Chief Executives of federal agencies actively campaigning for his 2027 re-election.

In a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the rights group strongly condemned the reported decision of serving heads of federal parastatals to seek roles in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.

HURIWA described the development as a severe conflict of interest that threatens to politicise public institutions funded by taxpayers.

The association expressed deep concern over a reported pledge by the Forum of Chief Executives of Federal Parastatals to mobilise 10 million votes for President Tinubu. HURIWA argued that public institutions belong to all Nigerians and must maintain strict neutrality, regardless of political, ethnic, or religious affiliations.

“It is unacceptable for officials appointed to manage government agencies to simultaneously position themselves as political campaigners for the President while remaining in charge of institutions established to serve all Nigerians,” the statement read.

According to the group, the proposed campaign structure—which reportedly covers grassroots mobilisation, media management, and election monitoring—dangerously blurs the line between official state duties and partisan politics.

Risk to Public Resources

HURIWA warned that allowing agency chiefs to remain in office while running political campaigns creates opportunities for the diversion of state resources. The group stressed that public funds, official vehicles, government facilities, personnel, and institutional databases must never be used to advance the electoral interests of any candidate or political party.

The association cautioned that partisan involvement will inevitably distract agencies from their statutory mandates, stall development, and erode public confidence in the neutrality of the federal public service.

Call for Technocrats and Immediate Resignations

To protect the integrity of the public service, HURIWA urged President Tinubu to draw a clear line between administration and politics. The group advised the President to replace politically active agency chiefs with dedicated technocrats and professionals.

“Officials who genuinely wish to participate actively in partisan politics should first relinquish their government appointments rather than combine political campaigning with the management of public institutions,” HURIWA asserted.

The rights group concluded by demanding swift action from the Presidency to ensure federal agencies remain focused entirely on governance, development, and service delivery ahead of the 2027 elections.