Police blockade, Wike’s threats against PDP venue violate constitution – RULAAC

In a statement on Friday, RULAAC Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma said the developments raise “fundamental questions about constitutional rights, the rule of law, political pluralism, and the neutrality of state institutions.”

The group said Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution guarantee freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. “These rights are not granted by INEC, a minister, or any government official. They are constitutional rights that can only be restricted in accordance with the law and subject to constitutional safeguards,” the statement read.

RULAAC argued that INEC regulates elections and political parties but has no authority to determine whether citizens may assemble or express political opinions. It also said no minister can suspend those rights through administrative directives.

“Hotels, event centres, and other public venues are legitimate businesses entitled to rent their facilities for lawful activities,” Nwanguma said. “Unless an organisation has been declared unlawful by a court, venue owners should not be subjected to threats or revocation of property rights merely because they rented to groups engaged in lawful political activities.”

The rights group was particularly critical of the reported threat to revoke property titles “by executive fiat,” saying questions of legality must be determined by courts, not administrative discretion.

On the police blockade, RULAAC said the Nigeria Police Force has a duty to maintain order but must act “impartially, lawfully, and without partisan bias.” It urged the force to remain politically neutral and ensure any restrictions on gatherings are based on credible security concerns and are necessary and proportionate.

“Democracy thrives when competing political interests are allowed to organize, assemble, campaign, and contest peacefully within the framework of the law,” the statement said.

RULAAC called on the FCTA to respect constitutional rights and due process, the police to maintain neutrality, political actors to pursue grievances through lawful channels, and the National Human Rights Commission and civil society to monitor developments.