Election violence: SERAP tells INEC to commence investigation or face legal action

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has told Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to immediately seek the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate allegations of electoral offences and other electoral violence, including bribery during the recently concluded general elections.

SERAP disclosed this in a letter on Saturday, signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP deputy director.

The statement partly read, “Identifying, arresting, investigating and prosecuting those suspected of perpetrating electoral violence and other electoral offences during the 2023 general elections would act as a deterrent against electoral violence in future elections.

“We would be grateful if immediate steps are taken to implement the recommended measures within seven days of the receipt and publication of this letter. If we haven’t heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”

Recall that the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections were conducted on February 25.

Also, the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections were held on March 18 across 28 states out of 36 states in Nigeria.

Sen. Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, won the Presidential election after defeating strong contenders, the PDP’s Atiktu Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi. Tinubu has already received his Certificate of Return from INEC.

Twenty-six (26) Governors-elect have been announced so far by the INEC and will be presented their Certificate of Return later this month.