The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has given the Independent National Electoral Commission seven days to obtain police case files on reported electoral violence and prosecute suspects where sufficient evidence exists.
SERAP asked INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, to obtain investigation materials from the Nigeria Police Force concerning people arrested over reported incidents of electoral and political violence since the commencement of campaigns for the 2027 general elections.
The demands are in a letter dated November 14, 2026, and signed by the NGO’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, according to a statement by Oluwadare on Sunday.
The organisation urged Amupitan to “direct INEC’s legal officers or legal practitioners appointed by the Commission to promptly review the case files and prosecute persons already arrested where the available evidence establishes offences under the Electoral Act 2026.”
It also asked the commission to press the police to intensify investigations, identify and arrest other suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and forward relevant case files and evidence for prosecution.
SERAP’s demand follows reports of several incidents of political violence across the country, including the alleged attack on members and supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress during a town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos, on November 12.
The organisation also urged INEC to “exercise its powers under section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026 to demand explanations from political parties suspected of involvement in or encouraging prohibited conduct, and impose the prescribed fine on any party that fails to respond or comply with a lawful directive.”
In the letter, SERAP said, “The prosecution of electoral offences is essential not only to punish individual offenders but also to deter future violations and prevent the normalisation of electoral and political violence in the country.”
It added, “INEC has a clear statutory responsibility to prosecute electoral offences and ensure that those responsible are held to account, 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 warned that it would take legal action if INEC failed to act within seven days of receiving or the publication of the letter.
The letter read, “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to discharge your statutory responsibilities in the public interest.”
SERAP listed several reported incidents of political violence since campaigns for the 2027 elections began on August 19, 2026.
They included 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 Peoples Democratic Party rally in Enugu State on September 12; and the reported attack on the convoy of ADC senatorial candidate Herberta Okonofua in Edo State on October 6.
It also cited 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 a supporter; an attack on supporters of Accord governorship candidate Oriyomi Hamzat during a procession in Ibadan on October 14, which reportedly left one person dead; and an attack on the convoy of NDC candidate Rollins Offia-Nwali in Ebonyi State on October 22, which allegedly killed one person and injured three others.
Other incidents listed by the organisation included the reported attack on African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and his team in Ado-Ekiti on October 30; the alleged attack on Obi’s convoy in Calabar on November 4; and an NDC procession in Asaba on November 7, which reportedly left one person dead and five injured.
SERAP also cited the disruption of the NDC town hall meeting in Lagos on November 12, during which journalist Samuel Adebanjo was reportedly assaulted and his equipment seized.
“While SERAP acknowledges the reported arrests and investigative steps taken by the Police, 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 letter said.
The organisation said the Electoral Act 2026 prohibits various forms of electoral violence and intimidation, citing sections 96, 97 and 120, which provide for offences and penalties relating to the use of force, threats and disorderly conduct at political meetings.
It also cited section 148(2) of the Act, which provides that prosecutions under the law shall be undertaken by INEC legal officers or legal practitioners appointed by the commission.
“INEC must therefore work with the Police and other investigative authorities to ensure that persons suspected of electoral offences are prosecuted where the available evidence supports charges,” SERAP said.
It added that the police and other law enforcement agencies had primary responsibility for investigations, arrests and evidence gathering, but argued that this should not prevent INEC from obtaining case files and initiating prosecutions where sufficient evidence exists.