The 2027 political season in Ogun State has produced an unusual development, with a prominent human rights advocate rejecting a place on a ruling-party campaign structure on the grounds that his office demands political neutrality.
ValidViewNetwork reports that Comrade ’Yinka Folarin, National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, has rejected his purported appointment to the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ogun State Campaign Committee.
Folarin disclosed his position in a letter dated September 15, 2026, addressed to the Ogun State Chairman of the APC. His name and telephone number had reportedly appeared under the Trade Union and Civil Society Affairs Committee of the party’s campaign structure.
Folarin said he was neither a member of the APC nor any other political party.
‘I Cannot Betray the Human Rights Struggle’
Explaining why he rejected the appointment, Folarin said his position as CDHR president requires independence from partisan politics.
“I, Comrade Folarin, President of CDHR, wish to state categorically that I reject my appointment into the APC Ogun Campaign Committee,” he said.
He explained that the organisation he leads is non-partisan and exists to defend the rights of citizens regardless of their political affiliations.
“The CDHR is a non-partisan human rights organization that defends all Nigerians regardless of political party. As its President, I must remain neutral, independent, and unbiased. I cannot betray the human rights struggle for political patronage,” Folarin stated.
Folarin also made clear that his decision was not an expression of hostility towards the APC.
“This is not about being for or against APC. It is about my role as a human rights defender. My job is to hold government accountable, whether it is APC, PDP, or any other party,” he said.
‘My Integrity Is Not for Sale’
Folarin said accepting a partisan campaign position could create a conflict between his political association and his responsibility to criticise government actions when necessary.
“If I join a campaign committee today, how will I boldly criticize the same government tomorrow when they violate the rights of citizens?” he asked.
He then declared: “My integrity is not for sale.” The CDHR president said his position was based on the need to preserve the independence and credibility of human rights advocacy, particularly as political activity increases ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development also raises a broader question about the practice of including civil society figures, traditional leaders and other prominent Nigerians in political structures without first confirming their consent.
Where such appointments are made without consultation, the individuals concerned retain the right to clarify their position publicly.
Folarin Calls for Rights to Be Protected
Beyond rejecting the appointment, Folarin used the opportunity to call for greater respect for human rights, the rule of law and freedom of political association in Ogun State.
“As we approach 2027, we want to see an Ogun State where every party can campaign freely, where no citizen is harassed for his political choice, and where the rights of the people are respected,” he said.
He also referred to concerns surrounding recent incidents in Idowa and alleged intimidation of opposition political actors, calling for issues affecting political freedom to receive proper attention.
The APC Ogun State leadership had not publicly responded to Folarin’s rejection as of the time of the report.
The significance of the development extends beyond one campaign appointment. It places the independence of civil society organisations at the centre of an increasingly political environment, where activists may be courted by competing political interests.
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For Folarin, the message is that a human rights organisation must be able to question those in power regardless of the political party involved.
As the 2027 contest approaches, the right to political participation must exist alongside the right of citizens and civil society organisations to remain non-partisan.
Political parties can seek support, but consent cannot simply be assumed. And where disagreement arises, it should be settled through transparency, dialogue and respect for individual rights, ValidViewNetwork reports.
