By David Oluwatosin
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the Federal High Court in Abuja over its alleged failure to disclose limits on political contributions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
SERAP, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2114/2026, is asking the court to compel INEC to disclose whether it has prescribed limits on the amount individuals can contribute to political parties and candidates under Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2026.
The organisation is also seeking an order directing the electoral commission to publish any limits prescribed and explain how they are being communicated to political parties, candidates, donors and the public.
According to SERAP, the failure to make the information public could make it difficult for voters, journalists and civil-society organisations to monitor political financing and determine whether parties and candidates are complying with electoral laws.
The suit was filed by SERAP’s lawyers, Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Kehinde Oyewumi, Andrew Nwankwo and Valentina Adegoke.
SERAP is further asking the court to compel INEC to disclose the systems and procedures it has established to monitor, investigate and enforce compliance with political contribution limits and campaign expenditure ahead of the 2027 elections.
The organisation also wants INEC to disclose political parties’ latest financial statements, audited accounts, sources of funds, assets, liabilities and election expenditure returns covering 2023 to 2025.
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It is equally seeking the disclosure of INEC’s examination and audit reports under Sections 225 and 226 of the Constitution, including reports submitted to the National Assembly, as well as details of enforcement actions taken over political-finance violations.
SERAP said Section 91(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 empowers INEC to place limits on the amount of money or other assets an individual may contribute to a political party or candidate.
The organisation said the provision also empowers the Commission to demand information on the amount donated and the source of funds.
It added that Section 91(2) provides sanctions where an individual, candidate or political party exceeds the applicable limit prescribed by INEC.
SERAP therefore wants INEC to clarify whether it has exercised the power and, if so, immediately publish the applicable contribution limits on its website and other accessible platforms.
The organisation also wants the commission to disclose the methodology and criteria used in setting the limits.
SERAP argued that transparency in political financing is necessary to promote fair electoral competition and prevent excessive or undisclosed financial influence.
It said political parties, candidates and their supporters were already mobilising resources, organising political activities, purchasing media and digital advertising, holding rallies and incurring campaign-related expenditure ahead of the 2027 elections.
The organisation urged INEC to explain how it plans to monitor political financing during the campaign period, including cash and in-kind contributions, digital and social-media advertising, political consultants and third-party campaign expenditure.
SERAP also argued that INEC’s constitutional responsibilities extend beyond receiving financial statements from political parties.
It cited Section 226 of the Constitution, which requires INEC to prepare and submit annual reports to the National Assembly on the accounts and balance sheets of political parties and to conduct necessary investigations into their financial records.
The organisation said publishing such reports would enable Nigerians to assess whether INEC had effectively discharged its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
