Pre-election violence: ‘Arrests alone are insufficient’, SERAP tells INEC

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to prosecute suspects arrested over reported electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections or face legal action.

SERAP, in a letter dated November 14 and addressed to INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, urged the commission to obtain investigation reports and case files from the Nigeria Police Force and prosecute suspects against whom sufficient evidence exists.

The organisation’s demand follows a series of reported attacks on political parties, candidates, supporters and campaign activities across the country since campaigns began on August 19, 2026.

The latest incident cited by SERAP was the reported disruption of a Nigeria Democratic Congress town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos, on November 12. A journalist, Samuel Adebanjo, was also reportedly assaulted and his equipment seized while covering the meeting.

In the letter signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged INEC to direct its legal officers or appointed legal practitioners to review police investigation files and institute prosecutions where the evidence supports charges.

It also asked the commission to press the police to conclude investigations into other reported incidents, arrest suspected perpetrators and sponsors, and forward relevant evidence for prosecution.

SERAP further called on Amupitan to invoke Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026 to demand explanations from political parties suspected of encouraging prohibited conduct and impose the prescribed fines on those that fail to comply with lawful directives.

“The prosecution of electoral offences is essential not only to punish individual offenders but also to deter future violations and prevent the normalisation of electoral and political violence in the country,” the organisation said.

It warned that failure to prosecute suspects could encourage further attacks, deepen impunity and discourage opposition parties from holding meetings, candidates from reaching voters and journalists from covering political activities.

SERAP listed several reported incidents since the commencement of campaigns, including the obstruction of the convoy of the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Benue State on September 8; attacks on an NDC ward meeting and a PDP rally in Enugu State on September 12; and an attack on the convoy of ADC senatorial candidate, Herberta Okonofua, in Edo State on October 6.

It also cited attacks on NDC supporters during the campaign activities of governorship candidate Chinyeaka Ohaa in Enugu on October 10, in which one supporter reportedly died, and an attack on supporters of Accord governorship candidate Oriyomi Hamzat during a procession in Ibadan on October 14, which also resulted in one death.

Other incidents included an attack on the convoy of NDC candidate Rollins Offia-Nwali in Ebonyi State on October 22, reportedly leaving one person dead and three injured, and an attack on African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and his team in Ado-Ekiti on October 30.

The organisation further mentioned an attack on Obi’s convoy in Calabar on November 4 and an NDC procession in Asaba on November 7, which reportedly left one person dead and five others injured.

It said the incidents had resulted in deaths, injuries, property destruction, attacks on journalists and disruption of lawful political activities.

“Arrests alone are insufficient to secure accountability or deter further violations,” SERAP said, insisting that suspects should be brought before competent courts where investigations establish evidence of offences.

The organisation said the Electoral Act 2026 provides for the prosecution of electoral offences by INEC legal officers or legal practitioners appointed by the commission under Section 148(2).

It cited Section 96(5) and (6), which prohibit political parties, aspirants and candidates from organising groups to use force or coercion for political purposes and from maintaining armed private security organisations or other groups to assist them during campaigns and elections.

SERAP also referred to Sections 97 and 120, which prohibit threats of violence during political campaigns and criminalise disorderly conduct intended to disrupt political meetings, as well as the possession of offensive weapons at such gatherings.

It argued that the provisions would have little effect if suspects were arrested but not prosecuted.

Although the organisation acknowledged that the police and other law enforcement agencies were responsible for investigations, arrests and evidence gathering, it said INEC had a statutory duty to obtain relevant case files and ensure that prosecutions were initiated where evidence was sufficient.

SERAP also linked its demand to constitutional and international protections for freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, arguing that Nigerians must be able to support candidates, attend political meetings and participate in campaigns without fear.

It asked Amupitan to implement the recommended measures within seven days of receiving or being notified of the letter.

“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to discharge your statutory responsibilities in the public interest,” it warned.

The organisation said prosecuting those responsible for political violence, including individuals who organise, finance, direct or sponsor attacks, would help create a safer environment for the 2027 elections.