The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the newly nominated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to prioritise the prosecution of politicians and their sponsors implicated in electoral offences across the country.
SERAP made the call in a letter dated October 11, 2025, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and addressed to the nominee.
The organisation identified offences such as violence, bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence during general and off-cycle elections since 2015, saying impunity for such crimes remains a major obstacle to credible elections in Nigeria.
It urged Amupitan to push for amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 to ensure free and fair elections in 2027, in line with the 1999 Constitution and Nigeria’s international obligations.
“High-ranking politicians and their sponsors are rarely brought to justice for electoral offences, reinforcing a culture of impunity that violates Nigerians’ democratic rights,” SERAP said.
The organisation stressed that INEC under Amupitan must demonstrate that it will not tolerate electoral offences, insisting that the effective prosecution of offenders and access to justice for voters are essential to restoring confidence in the electoral system.
“There cannot be a fair electoral process if the body managing it fails to ensure the investigation and prosecution of electoral offences, and to provide voters access to justice,” it added.
SERAP warned that failure to combat impunity for past electoral crimes would embolden future offenders and erode public trust in INEC’s independence.
It noted that general and off-cycle elections since 2015 had been marred by widespread malpractice, including violence and vote-buying, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
The organisation also reminded the new INEC leadership of its legal obligations under Sections 121, 127, and 145(2) of the Electoral Act, which prohibit bribery and undue influence and empower INEC to prosecute offenders directly or through appointed legal practitioners.
Citing Nigeria’s commitments under international instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, SERAP said the right to vote is fundamental to democracy and must be protected.
“Nigerians must have the final say in the election of their leaders,” SERAP stated. “According to the African Union Declaration on Democratic Elections, member states must take all necessary measures to prevent fraud, rigging, or illegal practices throughout the electoral process.”
The group further warned that if INEC fails to act on its recommendations after Amupitan’s confirmation, it may consider legal action to compel compliance in the public interest.
