The organisation is demanding that INEC obtain relevant case files from the Nigeria Police Force concerning suspects arrested in connection with political attacks, electoral violence, intimidation and other offences capable of undermining the country’s democratic process.
SERAP also wants the electoral commission to ensure that suspects against whom sufficient evidence exists are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The demand was contained in a letter dated November 14, 2026, and addressed to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.
The letter was signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, who urged the commission to demonstrate its commitment to protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process by ensuring accountability for politically motivated violence.
SERAP argued that allowing electoral violence to go unpunished could encourage further attacks and weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.
The organisation maintained that political violence threatens the constitutional rights of Nigerians to participate freely in the country’s political and electoral processes.
It therefore called on INEC to take concrete steps to ensure that individuals responsible for electoral offences are not shielded from justice because of their political affiliations or positions.
The seven-day ultimatum places pressure on the electoral commission to respond to the organisation’s demands and demonstrate how it intends to address cases of political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
SERAP Demands Police Case Files on Electoral Violence
At the centre of SERAP’s demand is the request that INEC formally obtain case files from the Nigeria Police Force concerning individuals arrested over electoral and political violence since the beginning of the 2027 election campaigns.
The organisation believes that access to the relevant police records would enable the electoral commission to examine reported incidents, identify possible electoral offences and determine the appropriate legal steps.
It wants INEC to work with the police and other relevant authorities to ensure that investigations into politically motivated attacks do not end with arrests alone.
According to the organisation, suspects against whom sufficient evidence has been established should face prosecution.
The demand is particularly significant because arrests alone do not amount to justice, especially when investigations are not followed by appropriate legal proceedings.
SERAP is concerned that failure to prosecute electoral violence suspects could create an atmosphere of impunity in which political actors and their supporters believe they can intimidate opponents without consequences.
The organisation has therefore urged the commission to treat the issue as a priority rather than wait until the election period becomes more intense.
SERAP Threatens Legal Action if INEC Fails to Respond
SERAP warned that it would pursue appropriate legal action against INEC if the commission failed to comply with its demands within seven days.
The organisation said it was prepared to approach the courts to compel the electoral commission to discharge its statutory responsibilities in the public interest.
In the letter, SERAP explained that prosecuting electoral offences was necessary not only to punish individuals found responsible but also to discourage future attacks and prevent political violence from becoming normalised in Nigeria.
It argued that no individual, political party, candidate or group should be above the law, regardless of their political influence or position.
The organisation also maintained that the responsibility to prosecute electoral offences should not be undermined by political considerations.
SERAP urged INEC Chairman Amupitan to direct the commission’s legal officers and appointed legal practitioners to review the police investigation files and initiate prosecution wherever the available evidence supports criminal charges.
It further called on the commission to work with the police to conclude investigations into unresolved cases and identify other suspected perpetrators and their sponsors.
The organisation stressed that those who finance, organise or encourage political violence should also be investigated and held accountable where evidence establishes their involvement.
SERAP’s position is that prosecuting individuals responsible for electoral violence would send a strong warning that attacks on political opponents and supporters would attract legal consequences.
The group said the proposed action was necessary to protect Nigeria’s democratic institutions and guarantee a safer environment for political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
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SERAP Cites Attacks on Political Parties and Campaign Activities
SERAP’s demand follows a series of reported incidents involving attacks on political convoys, party meetings, supporters and campaign activities across different states.
The organisation expressed concern that political violence was becoming a growing threat to the country’s democratic process as political activities intensified ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among the incidents cited was the reported obstruction of the convoy of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi in Benue State on September 8, 2026.
SERAP also referred to reported attacks on political meetings in Enugu State on September 12.
Another incident involved an alleged attack on the convoy of African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate Herberta Okonofua in Edo State on October 6.
The organisation further cited an attack on supporters of Accord governorship candidate Oriyomi Hamzat in Ibadan, Oyo State, on October 14, which reportedly resulted in one death.
It also mentioned an October 22 attack on the convoy of NDC candidate Rollins Offia-Nwali in Ebonyi State, which allegedly left one person dead and three others injured.
SERAP additionally referenced an October 30 incident in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, involving African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and members of his team.
Another reported incident occurred on November 4, when Peter Obi’s convoy was allegedly attacked in Calabar, Cross River State.
The organisation also cited the disruption of an NDC political procession in Asaba, Delta State, on November 7, which reportedly resulted in one death and five injuries.
More recently, SERAP referred to an attack on an NDC town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos, on November 12.
During the incident, journalist Samuel Adebanjo was reportedly assaulted while covering the political gathering, and his equipment was allegedly seized.
These incidents were presented by SERAP as examples of the growing security challenges facing political parties, candidates, journalists and supporters as the country moves towards the 2027 elections.
The organisation wants the police to complete investigations into the reported attacks and forward relevant evidence to INEC for prosecution where appropriate.
It is important to note that the incidents cited by SERAP are allegations and reported cases; responsibility must be established through proper investigations and legal proceedings.
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SERAP Invokes Electoral Act 2026, Cites INEC’s Prosecution Powers
In making its demands, SERAP relied on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, arguing that INEC has the legal authority and responsibility to prosecute electoral offences.
The organisation specifically cited Sections 96, 97 and 120 of the legislation, which address different forms of political violence, intimidation and disorderly conduct.
According to SERAP, these provisions prohibit conduct capable of disrupting political meetings, threatening participants or undermining peaceful political activities.
The organisation also referred to Section 148(2), which provides for the prosecution of electoral offences by INEC legal officers or legal practitioners appointed by the commission.
SERAP argued that the provisions would have little practical effect if individuals suspected of committing electoral offences were arrested but never prosecuted.
It also urged INEC to exercise its powers under Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026 to demand explanations from political parties suspected of involvement in or encouragement of prohibited conduct.
The organisation wants the commission to impose prescribed fines on political parties that fail to respond to or comply with lawful directives.
SERAP believes that enforcing these provisions would discourage political parties and their supporters from engaging in violence or encouraging attacks against political opponents.
It further argued that political parties must take responsibility for the conduct of individuals acting on their behalf where evidence establishes their involvement in prohibited activities.
The organisation maintained that accountability should extend beyond those who physically carry out attacks to individuals who organise, finance, direct or sponsor such activities, where the evidence supports legal action.
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Electoral Violence Raises Concerns Ahead of 2027 General Elections
The latest demand comes as political parties and their candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The increasing political activities have brought renewed attention to the security of candidates, supporters, journalists and other participants in the electoral process.
Electoral violence remains a major concern in Nigeria because attacks and intimidation can discourage citizens from participating in political activities.
Such incidents can also undermine confidence in elections, particularly when perpetrators are not identified, investigated or prosecuted.
For opposition parties, the security of campaign meetings and political gatherings is particularly important because members and supporters must be able to organise and express their political opinions without fear of intimidation.
Journalists also require protection while covering political activities, as attacks on media professionals can restrict access to information and weaken public accountability.
SERAP argued that Nigerians should be able to attend political meetings, support candidates, participate in campaigns and express their political preferences without fear of violence.
It maintained that the government and relevant institutions have a responsibility to protect fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
The organisation warned that failure to address electoral violence could create an environment in which political intimidation becomes an accepted feature of election campaigns.
It therefore wants INEC to demonstrate that electoral laws apply equally to all political parties and individuals, irrespective of their influence.
What Happens if INEC Ignores SERAP’s Seven-Day Ultimatum?
SERAP has made it clear that it will consider legal action if INEC fails to respond to its demands within the stipulated period.
The organisation said the seven-day period would run from the receipt or publication of its letter.
If the commission fails to act, SERAP intends to pursue appropriate legal measures to compel INEC and its chairman to fulfil their statutory responsibilities.
As of November 15, 2026, there was no publicly confirmed response from INEC accepting or rejecting the demands.
The commission’s next steps will therefore be closely watched by political parties, civil society organisations and Nigerians concerned about the security of the 2027 electoral process.
For SERAP, the central issue is that arrests must lead to meaningful investigations and prosecution where sufficient evidence exists.
The organisation believes that decisive enforcement of the Electoral Act 2026 would help discourage political violence and strengthen public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the seven-day ultimatum adds pressure on INEC to demonstrate its readiness to enforce electoral laws and protect the rights of Nigerians participating in the political process.
