On Sunday, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) issued a compelling plea to Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging him to initiate a comprehensive investigation into allegations of electoral bribery and violence surrounding the Saturday, November 11 off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states.
In a letter dated 11 November 2023, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization emphasized the critical need for INEC to uphold its constitutional and statutory responsibilities by taking decisive actions against the prevailing culture of impunity related to electoral malpractices in the nation.
SERAP specifically called on the INEC Chairman to identify, apprehend, publicly name, and expose suspected perpetrators and sponsors of electoral violence, emphasizing the importance of ensuring their prosecution without regard to their political status or affiliations.
Furthermore, SERAP urged INEC to disclose detailed expenditure reports related to the governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states. The organization emphasized the necessity of transparency in revealing specific amounts allocated for voter and civic education, as well as the various activities conducted in these states.
The letter partly read, “INEC must acknowledge its own limitations and now embrace a transparent, credible, inclusive and broad-based investigation into the allegations of grave electoral offences in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states.”
“Electoral integrity is critical to a legitimate democracy. When the integrity of that process is compromised, the legitimacy of our government and the public confidence in our public institutions is seriously undermined.”
“Reports of grave electoral offences in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo states have shown that INEC and politicians have learnt little or nothing from the well-documented problems during the 2023 general elections.”
“According to our information, the governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states witnessed cases of electoral offences including electoral violence, vote-buying, conspiracy, and undue influence.”
“The proposed joint investigation should comprise of INEC, anticorruption and law enforcement agencies, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, the National Human Rights Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and independent leaders and citizens’ groups from Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states.”
“Electoral bribery and violence and other electoral offences undermine the ability of INEC to discharge its responsibilities under Section 153 of the Nigerian Constitution and paragraph 15(a) of the third schedule of the Constitution, and the Electoral Act.”
“Electoral bribery and violence and other electoral offences reportedly committed during the off-cycle governorship elections in the three states are contrary to the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and international standards.”
“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 INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”
The call from SERAP reflects a broader concern for the preservation of democratic values, human rights, and the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria.
It underscores the need for a thorough and transparent investigation to address allegations of electoral misconduct and promote accountability within the political landscape.
As the nation awaits INEC’s response, the spotlight remains on the commitment of electoral authorities to uphold the principles of fairness and justice in the democratic process.