SERAP tasked the new INEC chairman, Amupitan, with ending impunity for election violations

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Professor Joash Amupitan, the newly nominated chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “prioritize and ensure effective prosecution of politicians and their sponsors allegedly responsible for electoral violations, including violence, bribery, vote buying, conspiracy and undue influence during general and off-cycle elections since 2015.”

SERAP urged him to “prioritize amendments to the 2022 Elections Act to ensure the holding of free and fair elections in 2027, in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. [as amended] and the country’s international obligations.”

SERAP also urged him to “ensure that any reform of the Election Law includes provisions for the timely prosecution of election violations and voters’ access to justice and effective remedies for violations of their fundamental rights.”

President Bola Tinubu last week nominated Amupitan as the new INEC chairman. If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace Mahmood Yakubu, who resigned last week, weeks before his second five-year term ends.

In a letter dated October 11, 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Impunity for past election violations is a major obstacle to free and fair elections in Nigeria. Mr Amupitan must demonstrate that INEC under his watch will not tolerate election violations in elections in the country.”

SERAP said, “Unless the legacy of impunity for these grave election violations is removed and the perpetrators, especially high-level politicians and their sponsors are prosecuted effectively and voters are given access to justice, then those who plan to commit election crimes will not feel constrained in future elections.”

According to SERAP, “the general and off-cycle elections held since 2015 have been marred by serious electoral violations, including violence, bribery, vote buying, conspiracy and undue influence, thereby making INEC a mockery.”

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The letter reads in part: “High-ranking politicians and their sponsors are rarely prosecuted for election violations, reinforcing a culture of impunity for violations of the democratic rights of the Nigerian people.”

“There will be no fair election process if the bodies administering the election process fail to ensure effective investigation and prosecution of election violations and voters’ access to justice and effective remedies.”

“There is no more precious right in a democratic society than the right to have a voice in elections for those who govern citizens, and other rights, even the most basic, will become illusory if unresolved electoral violations are not thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, and voters are denied access to justice.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended steps are taken after you are confirmed by the Senate and while you are in office. If you and INEC fail to act on the recommendations, SERAP will consider appropriate legal action to compel you and INEC to comply with our requests in the public interest.”

“The persistent failure of INEC leadership to ensure effective investigation and prosecution of electoral violations makes a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy and undermines public confidence in the electoral institution.”

“The 2027 general elections and off-cycle elections are critical to the promotion and protection of Nigeria’s human rights.”

“Ensuring accountability and ending impunity for perpetrators of election violations will enhance the rights of Nigerians to participate in their own governance including to vote in free and fair elections, as well as ensure respect for the rule of law.”

“Effective prosecution of election violations and voter access to justice and effective remedies will achieve legitimate objectives, namely the functioning and maintenance of democratic and electoral processes.”

“This will also enhance the integrity of the electoral process and public trust and confidence in INEC’s ability under your leadership to carry out your responsibilities impartially and independently.”

“The crisis faced in elections in this country and the lack of public trust in the electoral process can be overcome if impunity for election violations is combated through transparent, credible and effective investigations and prosecution of alleged perpetrators.”

“Election violations clearly contravene the express provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and international standards.”

“The ongoing cases of electoral irregularities in elections in the country grossly violate Nigerians’ right to vote, which is essential to the effective participation of every citizen.”