The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to prosecute persons arrested over reported incidents of electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
SERAP also threatened legal action against INEC and its Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, if the commission fails to act within the stipulated period.
The organisation made the demand in a letter dated November 14, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
It urged Amupitan to obtain case files and relevant investigation materials from the Nigeria Police Force concerning persons arrested over electoral and political violence since campaigns for the 2027 elections commenced on August 19.
SERAP asked INEC to direct its legal officers or appointed legal practitioners to review the files and prosecute suspects where available evidence establishes offences under the Electoral Act 2026.
It also called on the commission to press the police to conclude investigations into other reported incidents, identify and arrest suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and forward relevant evidence for prosecution.
The organisation further urged INEC to invoke 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 fines on parties that fail to comply with lawful directives.
SERAP said the prosecution of electoral offences was necessary to punish offenders, deter future violations and prevent the normalisation of political violence in Nigeria.
It added that arrests without prosecution were insufficient to guarantee accountability or discourage further attacks.
The organisation cited several reported incidents of political violence since campaigns began, including the 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 an NDC ward meeting and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Enugu State on September 12, and the reported attack on the convoy of African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate, Herberta Okonofua, in Edo State on October 6.
It also mentioned attacks on NDC supporters during the campaign activities of governorship candidate Chinyeaka Ohaa in Enugu State on October 10, in which one supporter reportedly died.
SERAP further cited the attack on supporters of Accord governorship candidate Oriyomi Hamzat during a procession in Ibadan on October 14, which reportedly resulted in one death, and the attack on the convoy of NDC candidate Rollins Offia-Nwali in Ebonyi State on October 22, leaving one person dead and three injured.
The organisation also listed 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 said an NDC political procession in Asaba on November 7 reportedly left one person dead and five others injured, while suspected armed men disrupted an NDC town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos, on November 12.
During the Lagos incident, journalist Samuel Adebanjo was reportedly assaulted and his equipment seized while covering the meeting.
SERAP warned that failure to prosecute suspected perpetrators could encourage further attacks, deepen impunity and prevent opposition parties, candidates, journalists and supporters from participating freely in political activities.
It noted that Sections 96(5) and 96(6) of the Electoral Act 2026 prohibit political parties, aspirants and candidates from organising groups to use physical force or coercion for political objectives and from deploying armed private security organisations during campaigns, rallies and elections.
The organisation also cited Section 97, which prohibits threats of force or violence during political campaigns, and Section 120, which criminalises disorderly conduct intended to disrupt political meetings and the possession of offensive weapons at such gatherings.
It particularly referenced Section 148(2), which provides that prosecutions under the Electoral Act shall be undertaken by INEC’s legal officers or legal practitioners appointed by the commission.
According to SERAP, this provision places a clear statutory responsibility on INEC to work with the police and other investigative agencies to ensure that suspects are prosecuted where sufficient evidence exists.
The organisation said effective enforcement would reassure Nigerians that they could participate in political activities without fear of intimidation, violence or reprisals.
SERAP warned that failure to respond to its demands within seven days of receiving or the publication of its letter would compel it to take appropriate legal action against Amupitan and INEC to enforce their statutory responsibilities.