MON APRIL 13 2026-theGBJournal| The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on 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), Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, on his X (formerly Twitter) account and the plausibility of the response by INEC to the allegations.
According to SERAP, these allegations and INEC’s response raise serious concerns about the integrity, 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.
The credibility of INEC is essential to the integrity and legitimacy of Nigeria’s electoral process, and any allegations that may undermine this credibility must be promptly, thoroughly, transparently and effectively investigated. The National Assembly is constitutionally empowered to conduct this investigation.
Citing Sections 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], SERAP noted that the National Assembly has the power to conduct investigations into the conduct of public officials and institutions including INEC, in order to expose corruption, inefficiency, or abuse of office.
”The exercise of these powers in this case would serve legitimate public interest by ensuring accountability and reinforcing the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.”
SERAP in its statement said: ”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 National Assembly also has clear obligations under both the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party to intervene in this matter, as the human rights treaties require the lawmakers to conduct a prompt, credible, transparent and effective investigation into cases of this nature.
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. Transparency in the outcome of the investigation is essential to ensuring accountability and restoring public confidence in the electoral process.
Where there is sufficient admissible evidence of wrongdoing, appropriate measures must be taken in accordance with the law to effectively address any wrongdoing.
The independence and impartiality of INEC are conditions precedent to the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria. The Nigerian Constitution guarantees INEC’s autonomy to ensure that electoral decisions are made without undue influence, interference, or bias.
Where doubts arise regarding the conduct or impartiality of those entrusted with overseeing elections, such concerns must be promptly and transparently addressed by the lawmakers, consistent with their constitutional oath of office.”
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