Politics
‘Prioritise Ending Impunity for Electoral Offences’, SERAP Tells New INEC Chair, Amupitan
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Prof Joash Amupitan, the newly nominated chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to “prioritise and ensure the effective prosecution of politicians and their sponsors who are suspected to be responsible for electoral offences, including violence, bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence during the general elections and off-cycle elections since 2015.”
The SERAP urged him to “prioritise the amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 to ensure the conduct of free and fair elections in 2027, in conformity with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international obligations.”
The SERAP also urged him to “ensure that any reform of the Electoral Act includes provisions for the timely prosecution of electoral offences and access of voters to justice and effective remedies for violations of their fundamental rights.”
President Bola Tinubu had last week nominated Amupitan as the new INEC chair. If confirmed by the Senate, he will replace Mahmood Yakubu, who left the position last week, weeks before the expiration of his second term of five years.
In the letter dated 11 October 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Impunity for past electoral offences is a major barrier to free and fair elections in Nigeria. Mr Amupitan must demonstrate that INEC under his watch would not tolerate electoral offences in the country’s elections.”
The SERAP said, “Unless the legacy of impunity for these grave electoral offences is combated and perpetrators, especially high-ranking politicians and their sponsors are effectively prosecuted and voters provided with access to justice, those contemplating electoral crimes will feel unconstrained in future elections.”
According to SERAP, “the general elections and off-cycle elections conducted since 2015 have been characterised by grave electoral offences, including violence, bribery, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence, making a mockery of INEC.”
The letter, read in part: “High-ranking politicians and their sponsors are rarely brought to justice for electoral offences, reinforcing a culture of impunity for violations of Nigerians’ democratic rights.”
“There cannot be a fair electoral process if the body managing the electoral process fails to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of electoral offences and access of voters to justice and effective remedies.”
“No right is more precious in a democratic society than that of having a voice in the election of those who govern the citizens, and other rights, even the most basic, are illusory if unresolved electoral offences are not thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, and voters are not provided with access to justice.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken upon your confirmation by the Senate and your assumption of office. Should you and INEC fail to act as recommended, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“The persistent failure by INEC leadership to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of electoral offences makes a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy and undermines public trust in the electoral body.”
“The 2027 general elections and the off-cycle elections are crucial for the promotion and protection of the human rights of Nigerians.”
“Ensuring accountability and ending the impunity of perpetrators of electoral offences would enhance Nigerians’ rights to participate in their own government including to vote in free and fair elections, as well as ensure respect for the rule of law.”
“The effective prosecution of electoral offences and access of voters to justice and effective remedies would serve a legitimate aim, namely, the proper functioning and maintenance of the democratic and electoral processes.”
“It would also enhance the integrity of the electoral process and public trust and confidence in the ability of INEC under your leadership to impartially and independently carry out your responsibilities.”
“The crisis confronting the country’s elections and lack of public trust and confidence in the electoral process can be addressed if impunity for electoral offences is combated through a transparent, credible and effective investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators.”
“Electoral offences are clearly contrary to the express provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and international standards.”
“Persistent cases of electoral offences in the country’s elections gravely violate Nigerians’ right to vote, which is central to the effective participation of every citizen.”
“The Nigerian Constitution provides in Section 14(1)(c) that, ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.’”
“Sections 121 and 127 of the Electoral Act prohibit electoral bribery and undue influence before, during and after any election. Section 145(2) provides that, ‘a prosecution under this Act shall be undertaken by legal officers of the Commission or any legal practitioner appointed by it.’”
“Similarly, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance guarantee the right to political participation, including the right to vote.”
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“These human rights treaties to which the country is a state party contain broad provisions on the right of Nigerians to democratic elections.”
“The right to vote is fundamental and is the essence of a democratic society, and any restrictions on that right strike at the heart of representative government. Nigerians should have the final say in the election of governmental officials.”
“According to the African Union’s (AU) Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, AU member states including Nigeria must ‘take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging or any other illegal practices throughout the whole electoral process, in order to maintain peace and security.’”
Thousands of residents and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party trooped into the streets of Ogun Central Senatorial District on Wednesday as the party officially commenced its campaign for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
The campaign train moved through the three federal constituencies in Ogun Central, with residents and party supporters gathering in large numbers to welcome the party’s candidates and leaders.
The campaign began at Agbado Station in Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, where supporters welcomed the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu; his running mate, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo; the party’s Ogun Central senatorial candidate, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo; and other party leaders.
In Abeokuta North Federal Constituency, where Dele Olaleye is the party’s House of Representatives candidate, a large crowd gathered at NTA Junction, Totoro, to receive the campaign team.
Residents and supporters chanted solidarity songs as the candidates promised purposeful representation at the senatorial and federal constituency levels.
The campaign train later moved to Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, where thousands of supporters received the team and followed the convoy to Ake Pavilion, venue of the Ogun Central flag-off rally.
Speaking at the rally, Adebutu urged residents to support Obasanjo, describing her as a tested and trusted candidate whose track record while representing the district had not been matched.
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He urged the people of Ogun Central to reject what he described as non-performance and vote for the PDP in the 2027 election.
Adebutu said, “I want to remind you that the best times of Nigeria have largely emerged under the leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), exemplified by what Baba Obasanjo did as a cornerstone for his successors. Happy days are coming again, very, very soon. In January, a new dawn will break for the betterment of our people.”
He also urged voters to reject the All Progressives Congress government, saying, “I therefore urge you all to make up your mind to reject this oppressive APC government with your vote. You must chart a better tomorrow for yourself and your children. You must all turn out in your large numbers to vote for the PDP in the coming 2027 elections.”
Adebutu further called on supporters to protect their votes and resist intimidation during the election.
“Be ready to stand by your votes, resist intimidation and use the power of the ballot to say enough is enough to misgovernance and maladministration,” he said.
The PDP governorship candidate added that the party would restore what he described as the country’s best times if returned to power.
On her part, Obasanjo said she was encouraged by the fact that residents continued to remember her contributions during her time in office.
She represented the district from 2007 to 2011 and served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health from 2003 to 2007.
The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo promised to do more to ensure that the people benefited from the dividends of democracy.
She also appealed to residents to support the PDP’s return to power, saying the party would work towards making life more comfortable and rewarding for people across the state.
Residents and supporters who spoke during the campaign pledged their loyalty to the PDP candidates and assured them of their votes in the January 2027 elections.
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.
Adebayo made the criticism on Wednesday during an interview with News Central, accusing Atiku of changing his position on petrol subsidy ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has said he would introduce measures to reduce the burden of petrol prices on Nigerians if elected president.
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He has argued that Nigeria has sufficient resources to provide relief for citizens, while explaining that his proposal would involve using the country’s crude oil resources to support domestic refining and reduce the cost of petroleum products.
However, Adebayo said Atiku’s current position was inconsistent with his stance during the 2023 presidential election.
“My colleagues are changing parties, changing manifesto. For example, Vice President Atiku Abubakar said four years ago he will remove subsidy on day one and he will sell NNPC. Now four years later, he is in another party saying no, I am going to restore subsidy,” Adebayo said.
The SDP candidate questioned the rationale behind the change, noting that Atiku had previously described the subsidy regime as economically unsustainable.
“Something that was in place, you said you will remove it. Now your colleague removed it. Now you say you want to put it back. Inconsistency,” Adebayo said.
President Bola Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office in May 2023. The decision resulted in a significant increase in petrol prices and placed additional economic pressure on households and businesses.
Atiku has, however, maintained that his proposed intervention would not simply mean a return to the previous subsidy regime.
His position is that Nigeria’s crude oil resources could be used to support domestic refining and help lower the cost of petroleum products.
Beyond the subsidy debate, Adebayo also criticised the movement of politicians between political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He argued that frequent defections had weakened ideological consistency in Nigerian politics, with politicians changing parties and, in some cases, changing their policy positions.
“Everybody who ran against me last time, apart from AAC candidate (Omoyele Sowore), has gone to another political party,” Adebayo said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied reports that it has withdrawn the list of its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, describing the reports as rumours.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the clarification on Tuesday following reports that the ruling party had withdrawn the campaign council list recently released as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
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Morka, while speaking with TheCable, said there was no basis for the reports, stressing that the party would formally announce any changes to the campaign council list.
“It’s rumour. If there is any change to the list, it will be formally announced,” he said.
The controversy followed reactions to the composition of the campaign council, with some APC members and stakeholders expressing concerns over the inclusion or exclusion of certain party figures.
The development subsequently fuelled speculation that the party could alter the composition of its campaign structure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
However, Morka’s latest statement indicates that the APC has not officially withdrawn the list.
He further maintained that any adjustment to the campaign council would be communicated through the appropriate channels of the party.
President Bola Tinubu is seeking re-election in the 2027 presidential election, with the APC already putting structures in place ahead of the polls.
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