The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), on Monday, urged the leadership of the National Assembly to investigate Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), over his alleged links to an X (formerly Twitter) account.
In a statement issued on its verified X page, the organisation urged the National Assembly to perform its constitutional function of conducting credible, impartial and effective investigations into the allegations levelled against the INEC Chairman.
Its statement on Monday reads: “BREAKING: We urge 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) on his X (formerly Twitter) account and the plausibility of the response by INEC to the allegations.”
The organisation further noted that the allegations and INEC’s responses raise concerns about the integrity and impartiality of the electoral commission, adding that compliance with the rule of law should be at 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.”
“Indeed, under Sections 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], 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 organisation wrote.
SERAP added that the exercise of these powers would serve the legitimate public interest by ensuring accountability and reinforcing the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
SERAP continued: “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 organisation further noted that the National Assembly should be guided by due process in any investigation and ensure full compliance with constitutional and international fair trial standards, adding that making its findings public would help 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”, it further noted.
The organisation stated that where doubts arise regarding the conduct or impartiality of those entrusted with overseeing elections, such concerns must be promptly and transparently addressed by lawmakers, consistent with their constitutional oath of office.