SERAP Urges National Assembly to Investigate INEC Chair Over Allegations

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has appealed to the National Assembly to scrutinise an X account purportedly belonging to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan. In a statement released on Monday, SERAP urged the lawmakers to utilize their constitutional oversight mandate to conduct a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the allegations, ensuring that they are not dismissed or concealed.

Professor Amupitan has been facing scrutiny after social media users alleged that he made politically biased statements in 2023 through an X account. Despite the INEC chairman's denial of ownership or operation of the account, it has reportedly been linked to him.

Evidence suggests the account, created in 2022 and initially bearing Mr. Amupitan's name, had its username altered to 'Sundayvibe00' and its posts protected after public attention focused on it, particularly a resurfaced tweet from 2023. Analysis from the AI chatbot Grok indicated the account was linked to his known email and phone number, according to a response shared by Grok on X.

SERAP stated that both the accusations and INEC's response have raised significant questions regarding the commission's integrity and impartiality. The organisation emphasized that the credibility of INEC is crucial for the legitimacy of Nigeria's electoral process, and any claims that could compromise this trust require a swift, comprehensive, and transparent inquiry.

SERAP also referenced Sections 88 and 89 of the Nigerian constitution, which grant the National Assembly the authority to investigate public officials and institutions for corruption, inefficiency, or abuse of office. The group argued that exercising this power in the current situation would be in the public interest, promoting accountability and strengthening the electoral system.

According to SERAP, the independence and impartiality of INEC are paramount for the organisation of free, fair, and credible elections. Therefore, the legislature has a duty to promptly address any doubts concerning the conduct of those responsible for overseeing elections.