The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, to identify and prosecute perpetrators and sponsors of electoral offences in the recently conducted governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo States.
In a letter dated November 11, 2023, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged INEC to conduct a joint, credible, transparent, and broad-based investigation into allegations of electoral bribery and violence during the elections.
The letter stated: “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.”
SERAP called on INEC to disclose spending details on the governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa, including specific amounts spent on voter and civic education.
The organization emphasized the importance of identifying and arresting suspected perpetrators, regardless of their political status or affiliations, and ensuring their prosecution.
The letter read in part: “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.”
SERAP expressed concern that the recurring cases of electoral bribery and violence make a mockery of Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy.
The organization emphasized the need for transparent, effective, credible, inclusive, and broad-based investigations to combat the culture of impunity for electoral crimes in the country.
The letter concluded with a request for INEC to respond within seven days, and if no response is received, SERAP threatened to take legal action to compel compliance in the public interest.
The call for investigation comes in the wake of reported cases of vote buying and violence during the governorship elections held in the three states.
