The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is facing mounting pressure to take decisive action against rising cases of political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given INEC's chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, a seven-day ultimatum to begin prosecuting electoral violence suspects. SERAP has written to Amupitan, requesting that he obtain case files and relevant investigation materials from the Nigeria Police Force concerning individuals arrested over reported incidents of electoral and political violence.
SERAP's ultimatum follows growing reports of attacks, intimidation, threats, and disruptions of political activities across the country. The organisation cited a reported attack on members and supporters of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) during a town hall meeting in Oregun, Lagos, on November 12, 2026, as an example of the escalating violence. Suspected armed men disrupted the gathering, organised for the party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and allegedly assaulted supporters and journalists, damaged property, and forced the political meeting to end abruptly.
SERAP has urged Amupitan to direct INEC's legal officers or appointed legal practitioners to review the police investigation files and prosecute those already arrested where the available evidence establishes violations of the Electoral Act. The organisation also called on INEC to press the police to intensify and conclude investigations into other reported incidents of political violence. SERAP emphasised that prosecuting electoral offences is necessary not only to punish individuals responsible for political violence but also to discourage future attacks and prevent such conduct from becoming normalised in Nigeria's political process.
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the growing incidents of violence at political gatherings and directed security agencies to deal firmly with individuals involved in political thuggery and other activities capable of disrupting public order. Tinubu gave the directive on Friday, November 13, while reacting to reports of violence accompanying political activities in different parts of the country. He urged politicians and their supporters to avoid violence and ensure that political campaigns focus on issues concerning the welfare of Nigerians and national development.
Tinubu stressed that political campaigns should provide opportunities for parties and candidates to present their policies, programmes, and ideas to Nigerians rather than engage in activities that threaten lives and public safety. He also urged political leaders across party lines to take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters, warning against allowing political differences to create hostility among Nigerians. Tinubu reiterated his commitment to a peaceful, free, and fair election and urged political leaders and supporters to conduct themselves responsibly.
According to SERAP, INEC has a statutory responsibility to prosecute electoral offences and ensure that individuals involved are held accountable, irrespective of their political affiliations or positions. The organisation warned that failure to take decisive action could weaken public confidence in the electoral process and encourage further attacks on political opponents and supporters. Since campaigns for the 2027 general elections began on August 19, 2026, several incidents involving attacks on political convoys and party secretariats, disruptions of rallies and meetings, and intimidation of political opponents have been reported across the country.
Some of the reported incidents have allegedly resulted in deaths, injuries, destruction of property, and arrests. Tinubu has assured political parties and candidates that his administration would provide an environment where they could freely conduct their campaigns without intimidation, harassment, or threats to their safety. He authorised security agencies to confront thuggery and other anti-social and anti-democratic activities with full force, emphasising that his administration would not tolerate any irresponsible conduct by politicians and their supporters.
Key points
- SERAP has given INEC's chairman a 7-day ultimatum to begin prosecuting electoral violence suspects.
- President Tinubu has directed security agencies to deal firmly with individuals involved in political thuggery and other activities capable of disrupting public order.
- INEC has a statutory responsibility to prosecute electoral offences and ensure that individuals involved are held accountable.
