INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan
By John Dike, Osogbo
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, seven days to obtain police investigation files on reported cases of electoral violence across Nigeria and commence prosecution of suspects against whom sufficient evidence exists.
The organisation made the demand in a letter addressed to Amupitan, urging the electoral commission to obtain relevant investigation reports and case files from the Nigeria Police Force concerning individuals arrested over incidents of political violence since the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections.
SERAP specifically called on INEC to deploy its legal officers or engage legal practitioners to examine the available evidence and initiate prosecution of suspects found culpable under the Electoral Act 2026.
The demand follows growing reports of political violence across the country, including the reported attack on members and supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) during a town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos, on November 12, 2026.
SERAP also urged the INEC chairman to prevail on the police to intensify investigations into reported cases, identify and arrest suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and forward relevant evidence to the commission for prosecution.
The organisation stressed that prosecuting electoral offences was necessary to promote accountability, discourage future violence and prevent political intimidation from becoming normalised ahead of the 2027 elections.
It maintained that INEC has a statutory responsibility to prosecute electoral offences and ensure that individuals responsible for violations are brought to justice, irrespective of their political affiliations or positions.
According to SERAP, effective enforcement of the law would send a clear message that no political party, candidate, individual or group is above the law.
The organisation further expressed concern over increasing reports of violence, intimidation, threats and attacks targeting political gatherings, candidates, supporters and campaign activities across the country.
It noted that since campaigns commenced on August 19, 2026, several incidents involving attacks on political convoys and party secretariats, disruption of rallies and meetings, and intimidation of political opponents had been reported.
SERAP warned that some of the reported incidents had resulted in deaths, injuries, destruction of property and arrests, describing the developments as a threat to peaceful political participation and the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation called for urgent action by INEC and the police to ensure that those responsible for electoral violence are investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
