The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to expeditiously establish a credible and transparent joint investigation into allegations of electoral bribery and violence during the off-cycle governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states.

SERAP urged Yakubu to identify, apprehend, publicly name, and shame suspected perpetrators and sponsors of these serious human rights crimes. The organization emphasized the importance of ensuring their effective prosecution, regardless of their political status or affiliations.

Additionally, SERAP urged INEC to disclose detailed spending information regarding the governorship elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa states. This includes specific amounts spent on voter and civic education, as well as activities conducted in these states.

In a letter dated November 11th and signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization stated that if INEC is to fulfill its constitutional and statutory responsibilities, it must take decisive and effective measures to combat the prevailing culture of impunity surrounding electoral bribery and violence in the country.

SERAP further emphasized that the recurring cases of electoral bribery and violence undermine Nigeria’s electoral process and participatory democracy, highlighting the urgency for action.