The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Bola Tinubu’s campaign organisation to explain reports that it is producing 40,000 customised tablets in China for political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The association also challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the reported project and establish the source of its funding.

In a statement issued yesterday by its national coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA expressed concern that the reported procurement could further entrench the influence of money and material inducements in Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly amid widespread economic hardship and the Federal Government’s continued reliance on borrowing to finance public expenditure.
The association demanded clarification on who was financing the production of the tablets, their total cost, the individuals or organisations behind the procurement and whether public funds or private political donations were involved.

It said reports indicated that the devices would carry campaign messages in English, Yoruba and Hausa before being distributed to supporters.
Questioning the need for such an expensive mobilisation exercise, HURIWA urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tinubu’s campaign organisation to make the financial arrangements public and demonstrate that the project complies with electoral and financial regulations.

The association also raised concerns about what it described as a contradiction between the reported capacity to finance tens of thousands of campaign devices and the government’s continued borrowing to meet national obligations.
It, however, stressed that its concerns were not proof that public funds had been used, but insisted that any credible evidence of the diversion of taxpayers’ money or government resources for partisan political activities should trigger an immediate investigation.

HURIWA also questioned INEC’s preparedness to monitor campaign expenditure ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the electoral commission to publish its campaign spending monitoring framework and begin tracking the financial activities of political parties and candidates.
It said the commission should not wait until after the elections to scrutinise campaign expenditure, but should establish clear procedures for financial disclosures and enforce statutory spending limits before the electoral process is overwhelmed by financial inducements.

The association further called on the EFCC and ICPC to investigate any credible evidence of extravagant political spending, unlawful campaign financing or the diversion of public resources.
It warned that the distribution of expensive gifts and other material benefits to influence voters could constitute electoral malpractice, depending on the circumstances, and urged the relevant authorities to act on any credible allegations of vote buying.

According to HURIWA, the 2027 presidential election should be determined by public policies, accountability and genuine political competition rather than the financial capacity of candidates and their supporters.
It insisted that Nigerians deserve to know the actual cost of the reported tablet project, its funding sources and the identities of those responsible for its procurement and distribution.

The association said political power should not be used to secure partisan advantage through public resources, adding that INEC must uphold its constitutional responsibility to ensure a transparent and credible electoral process.