Prosecute Those Who Rig Elections — SERAP Challenges INEC’s New Leadership

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the newly nominated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to make the prosecution of electoral offenders a top priority once he assumes office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to SERAP, those to be prosecuted should include politicians and their sponsors implicated in electoral crimes such as violence, vote-buying, bribery, conspiracy, and undue influence during general and off-cycle elections since 2015.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged Amupitan to push for an amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 to ensure truly free and fair elections in 2027 — in line with Nigeria’s Constitution and international obligations.

The group further emphasized the need for reforms that would guarantee the timely prosecution of electoral offences, as well as access to justice and effective remedies for voters whose rights are violated.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently nominated Professor Amupitan as INEC chairman to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who vacated the office weeks before the end of his second term.

SERAP stated:

“Impunity for electoral offences remains one of the biggest obstacles to credible elections in Nigeria. Professor Amupitan must show that INEC under his leadership will not tolerate electoral crimes.”

The organisation stressed that unless past offenders — especially powerful politicians and their financiers — are prosecuted, election crimes will persist. It lamented that since 2015, most elections have been marred by serious irregularities, turning INEC’s credibility into a subject of national concern.

The letter further read:

“High-ranking politicians and their sponsors are rarely prosecuted for electoral offences, creating a culture of impunity.

There can be no credible elections when INEC fails to investigate and prosecute offenders or ensure voters have access to justice.”

SERAP also reminded Amupitan that the right to vote is central to democracy, as enshrined in Section 14(1)(c) of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, and international treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.

The group concluded by warning that if INEC fails to act decisively against electoral crimes, it would consider legal action to compel compliance in the public interest.

“The 2027 elections will test Nigeria’s democracy. Combating impunity through credible prosecution is essential to restore trust in INEC and protect citizens’ rights,” SERAP stated.