By Seun Ibiyemi
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and 16 other presidential candidates to publicly publish details of their assets and liabilities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The organisation also urged the candidates to disclose the legitimate sources of their significant assets and publicly commit to rejecting vote-buying and electoral bribery during the election.
SERAP made the demands in an open letter dated August 8, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The organisation said candidates seeking the highest political office in Nigeria should voluntarily embrace higher standards of transparency, accountability and integrity rather than limit themselves to the minimum requirements of the law.
SERAP argued that Nigerians have the right to scrutinise the financial backgrounds of individuals seeking control over public finances, natural resources, appointments and security institutions.
“Candidates asking Nigerians to entrust them with enormous constitutional powers over public finances, natural resources, appointments and security institutions should be willing, before asking for their votes, to demonstrate that their personal financial affairs can withstand reasonable public scrutiny,” the organisation said.
It urged all 19 presidential candidates announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish their assets and liabilities, including relevant declarations involving their spouses and unmarried children below 18 years.
SERAP also called for disclosure of the legitimate sources of significant wealth, including business interests, investments, real estate, substantial gifts and inheritance, while respecting legitimate privacy and security concerns.
According to the organisation, voluntary disclosure before the election would enable voters to identify potential conflicts of interest, scrutinise significant sources of wealth and establish a baseline for monitoring future changes in the assets of candidates who eventually win the presidency.
The group further called on candidates to commit to updating their declarations if elected and explaining any significant increase in their wealth.
On electoral malpractice, SERAP urged all presidential candidates to publicly reject vote-buying and electoral bribery and direct their campaign organisations, agents and supporters not to offer money, gifts, food, transportation benefits or other material inducements in exchange for votes.
The organisation also asked candidates to report credible allegations of vote-buying involving their campaign structures to the appropriate authorities.
SERAP said the influence of money should not determine the outcome of the 2027 election, arguing that Nigerians should be able to choose their next president based on policies, competence, integrity, character and vision.
“Nigeria’s democracy belongs to its citizens. Votes must not be bought. Public office must not be treated as private property,” SERAP said.
The organisation cited constitutional provisions requiring elected public officers, including the President, to declare their assets and liabilities, while arguing that voluntary pre-election disclosure would strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
It also referenced Section 125 of the Electoral Act 2026, which it said criminalises bribery and related conduct intended to influence voters or procure electoral victory.
SERAP warned that vote-buying could undermine the free political choice of citizens, particularly during periods of economic hardship when vulnerable voters may be more susceptible to financial inducements.
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The organisation urged the presidential candidates to sign and publish a public integrity pledge committing themselves, their parties and campaign organisations to peaceful, transparent, accountable and corruption-free elections.
Among the candidates named by SERAP are Bola Tinubu of the APC, Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, Peter Obi of the NDC, Sandy Onor of the PDP, Omoyele Sowore of the AAC, Donald Duke of the PRP and Seyi Makinde of the APM, alongside other presidential candidates.
SERAP said the 2027 election presents an opportunity for political leaders to demonstrate that public office is a public trust and that Nigerians deserve a contest based on ideas and competence rather than financial strength.
“The choice before Nigerians in 2027 should be a choice based on ideas, policies, competence and integrity—not on who can spend the most money or conceal the most wealth,” it said.
