The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) ha called on the National Assembly to use its lawful oversight functions to execute “credible an transparent” investigations into what it termed “serious allegations” mounted against Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on his X account and the credibility of the nation’s electoral body’s response to the allegations.
The call was made by SERAP on Monday 13 April, 2026 via a statement.
The Statement reads: “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.
“These allegations and INEC’s response raise serious concerns about the integrity, impartiality of the electoral commission, and compliance with the rule of law and go to the heart of public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.”
The non-profit body said, “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.”
SERAP said, NASS has the constitutional power to execute this investigation against Amupitan, adding, no one is above the law.
The Statement also reads: “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 exercise of these powers in this case would serve legitimate public interest by ensuring accountability and reinforcing the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.
“No public official or institution is above scrutiny.”
The non-government Organization said, NASS must conduct the investigation by following due process, as well as, comply “with constitutional and international fair trial standards”; it further said, NASS must make its conclusions available to the public “to restore and maintain public trust in the electoral process”.
It said: “Transparency in the outcome of the investigation is essential to ensuring accountability and restoring public confidence in the electoral process.”
The statement further reads: “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.”
