SERAP Urges NASS to Probe Allegations Against INEC Chair Amupitan

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the National Assembly to launch a thorough investigation into allegations made against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, warning that the issue could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

In a statement shared via its X handle on Monday, SERAP urged lawmakers to exercise their constitutional oversight powers to examine both the allegations and INEC’s response.

TVC News Online reports that Amupitan had been accused of making a partisan post on the X (formerly Twitter) platform. The claim has been denied by INEC.

Calling for the intervention of the NASS, SERAP said, “We urge the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional oversight functions to conduct credible, impartial, transparent and effective investigations into the serious allegations reportedly made against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on his X (formerly Twitter) account and the plausibility of the response by INEC to the allegations.”

SERAP noted that the development raises critical concerns about the credibility and impartiality of the electoral body, stressing that such issues strike at the core of democratic integrity.

“These allegations and INEC’s response raise serious concerns about the integrity and impartiality of the electoral commission, and compliance with the rule of law and go to the heart of public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process,” it added.

The group emphasised that the National Assembly is constitutionally empowered under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to investigate public institutions and officials in order to expose corruption, inefficiency, or abuse of office.

According to SERAP, any investigation into the matter would serve the public interest by reinforcing accountability and safeguarding the credibility of elections in the country.

“No public official or institution is above scrutiny, and the National Assembly has a constitutional duty to ensure that allegations of wrongdoing are not ignored or swept under the carpet,” the statement read.

The organisation also referenced Nigeria’s obligations under international human rights frameworks, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, noting that lawmakers are required to ensure prompt, transparent, and effective investigations.

SERAP further urged the legislature to adhere strictly to due process and make its findings public to rebuild trust in the electoral process.

“The National Assembly should be guided by due process in any investigation and ensure full compliance with constitutional and international fair trial standards, and should make its findings public to restore and maintain public trust in the electoral process,” it stated.

It added that where credible evidence of wrongdoing is established, appropriate legal actions must be taken in line with the law.

The group stressed that the independence and impartiality of INEC remain fundamental to credible elections, warning that any doubts surrounding the conduct of electoral officials must be addressed swiftly and transparently.

“The independence and impartiality of INEC are conditions precedent to the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria,” SERAP said.