The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Professor Joash Amupitan, the newly nominated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to take decisive action against electoral offenders.
The organisation urged him to prioritise the effective prosecution of politicians and their sponsors suspected of involvement in electoral offences such as violence, bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence during both general and off-cycle elections since 2015.
SERAP also appealed to Amupitan to push for amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 to guarantee free and fair elections in 2027, in line with the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Nigeria’s international obligations.
SERAP also urged him to “ensure that any reform of the Electoral Act includes provisions for the timely prosecution of electoral offences and access of voters to justice and effective remedies for violations of their fundamental rights.”
President Bola Tinubu had last week nominated Amupitan as the new INEC chair. If confirmed by the Senate, he will replace Mahmood Yakubu, who left the position last week, weeks before the expiration of his second term of five years.
In the letter dated October 11, 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Impunity for past electoral offences is a major barrier to free and fair elections in Nigeria. Mr Amupitan must demonstrate that INEC under his watch would not tolerate electoral offences in the country’s elections.”
SERAP said, “Unless the legacy of impunity for these grave electoral offences is combated and perpetrators, especially high-ranking politicians and their sponsors are effectively prosecuted and voters provided with access to justice, those contemplating electoral crimes will feel unconstrained in future elections.”
According to SERAP, “the general elections and off-cycle elections conducted since 2015 have been characterised by grave electoral offences, including violence, bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence, making a mockery of INEC.”
SERAP noted that the persistent failure to hold powerful politicians and their sponsors accountable for electoral offences has entrenched a culture of impunity and weakened Nigerians’ democratic rights.
The group warned that credible elections are impossible without effective investigation and prosecution of electoral crimes, as well as guaranteed access to justice for voters. It further stressed that the right to vote is fundamental in any democracy and becomes meaningless if electoral offences go unpunished and citizens are denied justice.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken upon your confirmation by the Senate and your assumption of office. Should you and INEC fail to act as recommended, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest,” SERAP said.
SERAP criticised the past leadership of INEC for failing to effectively investigate and prosecute electoral offences, saying this has undermined public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and eroded participatory democracy.
The organisation emphasised that the 2027 general and off-cycle elections are crucial for protecting Nigerians’ human rights and strengthening democratic governance.
It urged the new INEC chairman to prioritise accountability and end impunity for electoral crimes such as vote-buying, bribery, and undue influence.
According to SERAP, enforcing electoral laws, including those outlined in the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, would enhance public trust, uphold the rule of law, and ensure citizens’ right to freely choose their leaders.
It added that effective prosecution of offenders would not only preserve the integrity of elections but also align Nigeria with international obligations under human rights and democratic governance treaties.
