The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the National Assembly to investigate allegations surrounding a controversial X (formerly Twitter) account linked to Joash Amupitan, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement on Monday, the group urged lawmakers to exercise their constitutional oversight powers and launch a “credible, impartial, transparent and effective” probe into the claims and INEC’s response.
Amupitan has come under scrutiny after an X account bearing the name “Joash Ojo Amupitan” surfaced online on Saturday. The account contained past posts supporting the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 elections.
However, INEC denied the allegation. The commission described the claim as “false and malicious.”
Similarly, INEC’s ICT director dismissed reports linking the account to the chairman’s email and phone number. He said the claim, attributed to X’s AI tool Grok, is a “hallucination.”
Nevertheless, SERAP said both the allegation and INEC’s response raise serious concerns about the commission’s integrity and impartiality.
According to the group, the issue strikes at the core of public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
“The credibility of INEC is essential to the integrity and legitimacy of Nigeria’s electoral process,” the statement read.
“Any allegation that may undermine this credibility must be promptly, thoroughly, transparently and effectively investigated.”
A CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY
Furthermore, SERAP reminded the National Assembly of its constitutional duty.
It cited Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower lawmakers to investigate public officials and institutions.
The group said lawmakers must use these powers to expose corruption, inefficiency or abuse of office.
In addition, SERAP said such an investigation would promote accountability and strengthen trust in the electoral system.
“No public official or institution is above scrutiny,” the group said.
“The National Assembly has a duty to ensure allegations are not ignored or swept under the carpet.”
Moreover, SERAP referenced Nigeria’s obligations under international frameworks. These include the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
It said these instruments require prompt, credible and transparent investigations into issues that affect public trust.
Consequently, SERAP urged lawmakers to follow due process and make their findings public.
It stressed that transparency remains key to restoring confidence in the electoral process.
“Where there is sufficient admissible evidence of wrongdoing, appropriate measures must be taken in accordance with the law,” the group added.
Ultimately, SERAP warned that INEC’s independence and impartiality are critical to credible elections.
It said any doubt about those who oversee elections must be urgently addressed.
