The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the newly nominated chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, to prioritise the effective prosecution of politicians and their sponsors implicated in electoral offences since 2015.
In a letter signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare and dated October 11, the group urged Amupitan to ensure that INEC under his leadership would not tolerate electoral offences such as violence, bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence during general and off-cycle elections.
“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,” the statement read.
SERAP noted that many elections conducted since 2015 have been marred by irregularities and violence, stressing that failure to prosecute offenders has encouraged a culture of impunity. The group maintained that high-ranking politicians and their sponsors are rarely brought to justice, thereby undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
“There cannot be a fair electoral process if the body managing the electoral process fails to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of electoral offences and access of voters to justice and effective remedies,” SERAP said. “No right is more precious in a democratic society than that of having a voice in the election of those who govern the citizens.”
The organisation further called on Amupitan to prioritise amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 to strengthen accountability and ensure free and fair elections in 2027, in line with the Nigerian Constitution and international obligations.
SERAP also urged the commission to include provisions for the timely prosecution of electoral offenders and improved access to justice for voters whose rights have been violated.
President Bola Tinubu recently nominated Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new INEC chairman. He is expected to be confirmed by the Senate to succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who vacated the position last week, shortly before the end of his second five-year term.