SERAP Gives INEC Seven Days to Act on Electoral Violence

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to obtain police investigation files on reported cases of electoral violence and prosecute suspects where sufficient evidence is available.

The organisation called on INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to request investigation reports and case files from the Nigeria Police Force concerning individuals arrested over alleged political and electoral violence since campaigns for the 2027 general elections began.

SERAP made the demand in a letter dated November 14, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, according to a statement released by the organisation on Sunday.

It urged Amupitan to instruct the commission’s legal officers and appointed lawyers to examine the police files and initiate prosecution against suspects where the evidence establishes violations of the Electoral Act 2026.

The group also asked INEC to encourage the police to expand their investigations, track down other suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and submit relevant evidence for legal action.

The demand follows reports of several incidents of political violence across the country, including the disruption of a Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos, on November 12.

SERAP further urged the commission to invoke Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026 by requiring political parties suspected of involvement in prohibited activities to explain their actions. It said parties that fail to respond to lawful directives should face the fines prescribed by the law.

In its letter, the organisation argued that prosecuting electoral offences was necessary to punish offenders, discourage future violations and prevent political violence from becoming an accepted feature of the electoral process.

It maintained that INEC had a legal obligation to ensure that those responsible were held accountable, irrespective of their political affiliations or positions.

“The prosecution of electoral offences is essential not only to punish individual offenders but also to deter future violations and prevent the normalisation of electoral and political violence in the country,” it said.  

It added, “INEC has a clear statutory responsibility to prosecute electoral offences and ensure that those responsible are held to account, regardless of their political affiliations or positions. Effective prosecutions would send a clear message that no individual, political party, candidate, or group is above the law.”

SERAP warned that it would pursue legal action against the commission if it failed to meet the demands within seven days of receiving or being notified of the letter’s publication.

The organisation said it expected INEC to act within the stipulated period, warning that it would approach the court to compel the commission to fulfil its statutory duties if it failed to do so.

The letter read, “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to discharge your statutory responsibilities in the public interest.”

SERAP identified several reported incidents of political violence since campaigns for the 2027 elections began on August 19, 2026.

Among them was the reported obstruction of the convoy of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi in Benue State on September 8, followed by attacks on an NDC ward meeting and a Peoples Democratic Party rally in Enugu State on September 12.

It also cited an alleged attack on the convoy of African Democratic Congress senatorial candidate Herberta Okonofua in Edo State on October 6.

Other incidents included attacks on NDC supporters during the campaign activities of governorship candidate Chinyeaka Ohaa in Enugu State on October 10, which reportedly resulted in one death, and an attack on supporters of Accord governorship candidate Oriyomi Hamzat during a procession in Ibadan on October 14, where another person was reportedly killed.

SERAP also listed an attack on the convoy of NDC candidate Rollins Offia-Nwali in Ebonyi State on October 22, which allegedly left one person dead and three others injured.

The organisation further referenced the reported assault on African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and his team in Ado-Ekiti on October 30, as well as an alleged attack on Obi’s convoy in Calabar on November 4.

An NDC procession in Asaba on November 7 was also included in the list, following reports that one person was killed and five others injured.

The latest incident cited was the disruption of the NDC town hall meeting in Lagos on November 12, during which journalist Samuel Adebanjo was reportedly assaulted and his equipment taken.

SERAP acknowledged that the police had made arrests and taken investigative steps in some of the cases but argued that such actions would not guarantee accountability without prosecution.

It said suspects should be brought before competent courts whenever investigations produce sufficient evidence to support criminal charges.

“While SERAP acknowledges the reported arrests and investigative steps taken by the Police, arrests alone are insufficient to secure accountability or deter further violations. Suspected perpetrators must be investigated and, where the evidence supports prosecution, brought before competent courts,” the letter said.

The organisation cited Sections 96, 97 and 120 of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibit different forms of electoral violence, intimidation, threats and disorderly behaviour at political gatherings.

It also referenced Section 148(2), which assigns responsibility for prosecuting offences under the Act to INEC’s legal officers or legal practitioners appointed by the commission.

While acknowledging that the police and other law enforcement agencies are primarily responsible for investigating offences, making arrests and gathering evidence, SERAP said those responsibilities did not absolve INEC of its duty to obtain case files and prosecute suspects where the evidence supports charges.