The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged the National Assembly to launch a comprehensive investigation into allegations surrounding social media posts linked to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan.
In a statement posted on its official X handle on Monday, SERAP called on lawmakers to exercise their constitutional oversight powers to conduct what it described as a credible, impartial, transparent and effective inquiry into both the allegations and INEC’s official response.
The organisation said the controversy goes beyond social media disputes, insisting it touches on the credibility and perceived neutrality of Nigeria’s electoral umpire.
SERAP stated, “The credibility of INEC is essential to the integrity and legitimacy of Nigeria’s electoral process, and any allegations that may undermine this credibility must be promptly, thoroughly, transparently and effectively investigated.”
The rights group stressed that the National Assembly has clear constitutional authority under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to investigate the conduct of public institutions and officials in order to expose corruption, inefficiency or abuse of office.
It added,”No public official or institution is above scrutiny, and the National Assembly has a constitutional duty to ensure that allegations of wrongdoing are not ignored or swept under the carpet.”
SERAP further argued that lawmakers also have obligations under international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which require states to guarantee accountability, transparency and fair processes in governance.
The organisation said any investigation carried out must comply with due process and fair hearing principles, while its findings should be made public to restore confidence in the electoral system.
“Transparency in the outcome of the investigation is essential to ensuring accountability and restoring public confidence in the electoral process,” SERAP said.
The group warned that failure to address such allegations could deepen public distrust in INEC ahead of future elections, stressing that the independence and impartiality of the commission remain “conditions precedent” for credible polls in Nigeria.
SERAP also insisted that where credible evidence of wrongdoing is established, appropriate legal and institutional actions must follow in line with the law.
The development comes amid ongoing controversy over resurfaced social media posts allegedly linked to an account said to be associated with INEC’s chairman, Joash Amupitan.
INEC, however, has repeatedly denied ownership of the account, maintaining that the chairman does not operate any personal X handle and has never engaged in partisan political commentary.
The commission has described the viral screenshots as part of a coordinated misinformation campaign aimed at discrediting the electoral body.
INEC’s ICT Director, Lawrence Bayode, also said the Commission would not base its findings on screenshots or artificial intelligence outputs alone, noting that forensic experts and security agencies had been engaged to verify the authenticity of the content.
He added that the investigation would rely strictly on verifiable evidence, not social media interpretations or AI-generated analysis.