The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, to urgently request the appointment of an impartial counsel to investigate claims of electoral violence and other electoral violations, including bribery, allegedly perpetrated by state governors and their deputies during the recently concluded general election.
SERAP further urged Yakubu to swiftly and thoroughly investigate reports of electoral violence and other electoral offences committed during the general election. The organization also urged the commission to identify suspected offenders and their sponsors, and ensure their effective prosecution, regardless of their political status or affiliations.
In a letter dated March 25, 2023, and signed by SERAP’s deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization stated that the suspected perpetrators and their sponsors had clearly violated constitutional provisions, international standards, and the Electoral Act by allegedly engaging in electoral violence and other electoral offences in such a blatant manner.
According to SERAP, Section 52 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act empowers INEC to request the appointment of an impartial counsel to investigate allegations of electoral violence and other electoral offences, including bribery, that may have been committed by any state governor and/or their deputies.