The Socio‑Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to “urgently seek the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate allegations of electoral violence and other electoral offences, including bribery, against state governors and their deputies” in the recently concluded general election. In a letter dated 25 March 2023, signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged Yakubu to promptly and effectively investigate reports of electoral violence and related offences, identify the suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and ensure their prosecution regardless of political status or affiliation.
SERAP argued that the alleged perpetrators and sponsors have acted in clear violation of constitutional provisions, international standards and the Electoral Act. It noted that Section 52 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act permits INEC to request the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate such allegations against any state governor or deputy. The project further recommended that INEC collaborate with the ICPC and other law‑enforcement agencies to identify any politicians and sponsors suspected of involvement in electoral violence and other offences during the elections.
According to SERAP, identifying, arresting, investigating and prosecuting those responsible for electoral violence in the 2023 general election would serve as a deterrent against future misconduct. The organisation requested that the recommended measures be implemented within seven days of receipt or publication of the letter, warning that failure to respond would prompt SERAP to consider legal action to compel INEC’s compliance in the public interest. Prompt action, SERAP asserted, would send a strong message that INEC under Yakubu’s leadership will not tolerate any infringement of the electoral process.
The project emphasized that electoral violence threatens fair and representative elections and is inconsistent with democratic principles, the rule of law, transparency and accountability. A report by the Centre for Democracy and Development documented violence and fighting at several polling units nationwide. SERAP observed that these incidents were often concentrated in opposition strongholds, suggesting that the use of BVAS—when properly applied to limit over‑voting—had led to a concerted effort to suppress votes in those areas. Similar intimidation incidents were reported across all geo‑political zones.
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