The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Professor Joash Amupitan, the newly nominated Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to make the effective prosecution of electoral crimes a top priority once confirmed.
In a letter dated October 11, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged Amupitan to tackle the widespread impunity surrounding electoral offences in Nigeria. These offences, SERAP noted, include violence, vote-buying, bribery, conspiracy, and undue influence—particularly during general and off-cycle elections since 2015.
“Impunity for past electoral offences is a major barrier to free and fair elections in Nigeria,” the letter stated. “Mr. Amupitan must demonstrate that INEC under his leadership will not tolerate electoral crimes.”
SERAP emphasised that unless high-ranking politicians and their sponsors are held accountable, electoral malpractice will continue to undermine the democratic process. The organisation also stressed the importance of providing voters with access to justice and effective remedies for violations of their electoral rights.
“The general elections and off-cycle elections conducted since 2015 have been characterised by grave electoral offences, making a mockery of INEC,” SERAP wrote. “The failure to investigate and prosecute offenders has entrenched a culture of impunity and eroded public trust in the electoral system.”
The organisation urged Amupitan to champion reforms to the Electoral Act 2022, ensuring that it includes clear provisions for the timely prosecution of electoral crimes and guarantees voter access to justice.
“There cannot be a fair electoral process if the electoral body fails to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of offences. No right is more fundamental in a democracy than the right to choose one’s leaders. If this right is undermined by unresolved electoral crimes, all other rights become meaningless,” the group added.
SERAP called on Amupitan to work towards amending the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections to align with both the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Nigeria’s international obligations.
President Bola Tinubu recently nominated Professor Joash Amupitan as the new INEC Chairman. His appointment is pending confirmation by the Senate. If confirmed, Amupitan will succeed Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who vacated the position last week, shortly before the end of his second five-year term.
