Daud Olatunji
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to prosecute individuals arrested over alleged electoral and political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections or face legal action.
The organisation also urged INEC to obtain relevant investigation reports and case files from the Nigeria Police Force and commence prosecution against suspects where sufficient evidence exists.
SERAP made the demand in a letter dated November 14, 2026, addressed to the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The group asked the commission to direct its legal officers or appointed legal practitioners to review the available evidence and promptly initiate prosecution in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026.
The demand comes amid growing reports of attacks on political candidates, supporters, party members and journalists across the country since campaigns for the 2027 elections commenced on August 19.
Among the incidents cited by SERAP was the November 12 attack on members and supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress during a town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos State.
The organisation also raised concerns over the reported obstruction of the convoy of NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State on September 8, as well as attacks on political meetings in Enugu State on September 12.
Other incidents included the reported attack on the convoy of African Democratic Congress senatorial candidate, Herberta Okonofua, in Edo State on October 6, and an attack on supporters of Accord governorship candidate, Oriyomi Hamzat, in Ibadan on October 14, which reportedly claimed one life.
SERAP further cited the October 22 attack on the convoy of NDC candidate, Rollins Offia-Nwali, in Ebonyi State, which allegedly left one person dead and three others injured.
It also listed the reported attack on African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and his team in Ado-Ekiti on October 30, and another attack on Obi’s convoy in Calabar on November 4.
The group said an NDC procession in Asaba, Delta State, was also attacked on November 7, leaving one person dead and five others injured.
It added that journalist Samuel Adebanjo was assaulted and his equipment seized while covering the November 12 incident in Lagos.
SERAP urged the INEC chairman to prevail on the police to conclude investigations into the reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and forward relevant evidence to the commission for prosecution.
The organisation also called on INEC to invoke its powers under Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026 to demand explanations from political parties suspected of encouraging or participating in prohibited conduct.
It said the commission should impose the prescribed fines on political parties that fail to comply with lawful directives.
SERAP warned that allowing electoral violence to go unpunished could encourage further attacks, strengthen a culture of impunity and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
It stressed that the responsibility of the commission should go beyond monitoring elections and issuing statements condemning violence to ensuring that electoral offenders are held accountable.
“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.
The group also relied on Sections 96, 97 and 120 of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibit various forms of political violence, intimidation and disorderly conduct at political meetings.
