The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, seven days to begin prosecuting people arrested over reported electoral and political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
SERAP urged Amupitan to obtain relevant case files and investigation materials from the Nigeria Police Force and promptly prosecute suspects where sufficient evidence exists under the Electoral Act 2026.
The organisation warned that failing to prosecute perpetrators and sponsors of political violence could encourage further attacks, deepen impunity and undermine the credibility of the 2027 elections.
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SERAP, which made the demand in an open letter dated November 14, 2026, signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, said the call follows a series of reported attacks on political parties, candidates and their supporters across the country.
The latest incident cited by SERAP was the November 12 attack on members and supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) at a town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos. A journalist, Samuel Adebanjo, was reportedly assaulted, and his equipment was seized while he covered the event.
SERAP called on INEC to direct its legal officers or appointed legal practitioners to review police investigation files and prosecute suspects when the available evidence establishes electoral offences.
It also urged the Commission to press the police to intensify investigations into unresolved incidents, identify and arrest other suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and send the relevant evidence to INEC for prosecution.
The organisation further asked Amupitan to invoke Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026 to seek explanations from political parties suspected of involvement in, or encouraging, prohibited conduct, and to impose the prescribed fines on parties that fail to comply with lawful directives.
In the letter, SERAP said prosecuting electoral offences was necessary not only to punish offenders but also to deter future violations and prevent political violence from becoming normalised.
It added that INEC had a clear statutory responsibility to ensure those responsible were held accountable, 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,” the organisation said.
SERAP expressed concern about what it described as rising incidents of violence, intimidation, threats and attacks on political meetings, candidates, supporters and campaign activities since campaigning for the 2027 elections began on August 19, 2026.
It listed several incidents, including the reported obstruction of the convoy of NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi in Benue State on September 8; attacks on an NDC ward meeting and a separate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Enugu State on September 12; and the reported attack on the convoy of African Democratic Congress (ADC) 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 led to the death of one supporter, and an attack on supporters of Accord governorship candidate Oriyomi Hamzat during a procession in Ibadan on October 14, in which one person was reportedly killed.
SERAP also cited the October 22 attack on the convoy of NDC candidate Rollins Offia-Nwali in Ebonyi State, which reportedly left one person dead and three others injured, as well as the October 30 attack on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and members of his team in Ado-Ekiti.
The organisation also listed the reported attack on Peter Obi’s convoy in Calabar on November 4; an NDC procession in Asaba on November 7, which reportedly resulted in one death and five injuries; and the disruption of the party’s town hall meeting in Lagos on November 12.
According to SERAP, the incidents have resulted in deaths, injuries, property destruction, attacks on journalists and disruption of lawful political activities.
It warned that failing to prosecute those responsible could create an atmosphere of fear, discouraging opposition parties from holding meetings, preventing candidates from reaching voters and intimidating journalists as they carry out their duties.
“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 organisation said.
It added that those who organise, finance, direct or sponsor political violence must not escape accountability.
Citing the Electoral Act 2026, SERAP argued that INEC had the legal authority and responsibility to ensure electoral offences were prosecuted.
It specifically referred to Section 96(5), which prohibits political parties, aspirants, and candidates from retaining, organising, training, or equipping individuals or groups to use physical force or coercion to pursue political objectives.
According to the organisation, Section 96(6) also prohibits political parties, aspirants, and candidates from maintaining or using armed private security organisations, vanguards, or other groups to provide security or assist them during campaigns, rallies, processions, and elections.
SERAP also cited Sections 96(7) and (8), which set out penalties for violations, and Section 97, which prohibits threats of force or violence during political campaigns to compel support for or opposition to a political party or candidate.
It also pointed to Section 120, which criminalises disorderly conduct intended to disrupt political meetings, as well as possessing offensive weapons or missiles at such gatherings.
The organisation stressed that these provisions would have little practical effect if suspects were arrested but not prosecuted.
Of particular importance, SERAP cited Section 148(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides that the Commission appoints prosecution officers or legal practitioners.
It argued that while the police and other law enforcement agencies have primary responsibility for criminal investigations, arrests, and evidence gathering, INEC must take proactive steps to obtain investigation reports, review the evidence, and initiate prosecutions where sufficient grounds exist.
SERAP also based its demand on constitutional and international human rights guarantees, including Sections 14(2)(c), 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which address popular participation in government and protect freedom of expression, assembly and association.
It also cited Section 42, which prohibits discrimination, including based on political opinion.
The organisation further referred to Articles 19, 21, 22 and 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, along with relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantee political participation, freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
It warned that without effective enforcement of electoral laws, citizens could be denied the opportunity to express their political opinions freely, support candidates of their choice and participate in the electoral process without fear of violence or intimidation.
SERAP further asked Amupitan to implement its recommendations within seven days of receiving or publishing the letter, warning it would take appropriate legal action to compel INEC to fulfil its statutory responsibilities if the Commission failed to act.
