The Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has thrown down a significant gauntlet before Professor Joash Amupitan, the newly nominated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In an open letter, the civil society group urged Amupitan to make the effective prosecution of electoral offenders his primary goal upon assuming office, specifically targeting politicians and their sponsors implicated in electoral crimes since the 2015 general elections.
The nomination of Professor Amupitan, which follows the stepping down of the immediate past Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, weeks before the expiration of his second term, has been met with immediate pressure to address what SERAP calls a legacy of impunity in Nigeria's electoral history.
In the letter, dated October 11, 2025, and signed by Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP warned that the persistent failure to bring perpetrators of electoral crimes, such as violence, bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence, to book is the single largest barrier to building a credible and transparent democracy in Nigeria.
“Impunity for past electoral offences is a major barrier to free and fair elections in Nigeria.
“Mr Amupitan must demonstrate that INEC under his leadership will not tolerate electoral offences in any form,” the group stated.
SERAP argued that the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process hinges not only on the successful conduct of voting but also on the rigorous enforcement of electoral laws.
The organisation decried the pattern of irregularities that have marred successive elections since 2015, where high-ranking politicians and their financial sponsors are rarely brought to justice, thereby reinforcing the culture of impunity for violations of Nigerians’ democratic rights.
“Unless perpetrators, especially high-ranking politicians and their sponsors, are brought to justice, those contemplating electoral crimes will feel emboldened in future elections,” SERAP warned, noting the severe erosion of public confidence in INEC due to past failures to prosecute.
The group stressed that the fundamental right to vote, the essence of a democratic society, becomes illusory when electoral violations go unpunished.
No other right is more precious, SERAP argued, than having a voice in the election of those who govern.
Beyond enforcement, SERAP also urged the incoming INEC boss to proactively push for an amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 to ensure fairer elections in 2027.
Crucially, the group recommended that any reform efforts must include provisions that guarantee the timely prosecution of electoral offences and ensure easy access to justice for voters whose democratic rights have been violated.
The organisation further reminded Professor Amupitan of Nigeria's legal and moral obligations under both the 1999 Constitution and international treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
These instruments all guarantee citizens' rights to political participation, which SERAP noted is enshrined in Section 14(1)(c) of the Constitution: “the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured.”
SERAP pointed to Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act, which specifically prohibit bribery and undue influence, and Section 145(2), which legally mandates INEC's legal officers to undertake prosecutions under the Act.
In a demonstration of its commitment to accountability, SERAP concluded its letter with a clear ultimatum: legal action.
“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, we shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel compliance in the public interest,” the letter read.
The group emphasised that ensuring accountability would not only strengthen citizens’ rights to vote ahead of the critical 2027 general elections but also promote the rule of law and restore faith in democratic institutions.
The effective prosecution of offenders, SERAP argued, would serve the legitimate aim of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and public trust in the impartiality of INEC under its new leadership.
#INEC #SERAP #ElectoralJustice #ElectoralImpunity #JoashAmupitan #NigerianElections #EndVoteBuying #RuleOfLaw #NigeriaDemocracy
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