Get Guardian on GoogleThe Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to obtain police case files and prosecute suspects linked to reported incidents of electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation made the demand in a letter dated November 14, 2026, addressed to INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
SERAP urged Amupitan to direct the commission’s legal officers to review investigation files and prosecute suspects where available evidence establishes offences under the Electoral Act 2026.
It also asked INEC to press the police to conclude investigations into other reported attacks, identify and arrest suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and forward relevant evidence for prosecution.
The organisation further called on the commission to invoke its powers under Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026 to demand explanations from political parties suspected of encouraging prohibited conduct and impose prescribed fines where parties fail to comply with lawful directives.
SERAP said its demand followed reports of several incidents of electoral and political violence since campaigns for the 2027 elections commenced on August 19, 2026.
It cited attacks on political convoys, party meetings and campaign activities in several states, including the reported obstruction of the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State on September 8.
Other incidents listed included attacks on NDC and PDP meetings in Enugu, the convoy of ADC senatorial candidate, Herberta Okonofua, in Edo State, and the convoy of NDC candidate, Rollins Offia-Nwali, in Ebonyi State.
The organisation also cited the attack on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and his team in Ado-Ekiti on October 30, as well as attacks on Obi’s convoy in Calabar on November 4.
It further listed the disruption of an NDC political procession in Asaba on November 7 and an attack on an NDC town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos, on November 12, during which journalist Samuel Adebanjo was reportedly assaulted and his equipment seized.
SERAP said arrests without prosecution were insufficient to ensure accountability and deter further attacks, warning that failure to prosecute suspected perpetrators could deepen impunity and undermine citizens’ participation in the electoral process.
It argued that Sections 96, 97 and 120 of the Electoral Act 2026 prohibit various forms of political violence, intimidation and disorderly conduct, while Section 148(2) empowers INEC legal officers or lawyers appointed by the commission to prosecute electoral offences.
The organisation said effective enforcement of the law was necessary to protect political participants and ensure peaceful, free and credible elections in 2027.
It warned that it would take legal action to compel INEC to discharge its statutory responsibilities if the commission failed to act within seven days of receiving or the publication of the letter.
