By Seun Ibiyemi
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to investigate claims that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted about N800 billion for political and campaign purposes.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026 and filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order compelling INEC to probe allegations that APC governors made monthly contributions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations into a dedicated campaign fund to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The rights organisation is also asking the court to direct INEC to demand full disclosure from the governors and the APC regarding the alleged contributions, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds.
SERAP further wants the electoral commission to commence a formal review and investigation into compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by all political parties and candidates, particularly with regard to the sources and scale of political financing ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the suit, filed by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi, SERAP argued that the allegations raise serious concerns about political finance transparency, electoral fairness and Nigerians’ constitutional right to participate freely in governance.
According to the organisation, opaque political financing remains a major gateway for corruption and poses a significant threat to democratic legitimacy.
“The abuse of state resources for electoral advantage undermines democratic integrity and public trust.
Fairness, transparency and accountability in political or campaign finance are essential safeguards against corruption, state capture and undue influence in democratic processes,” SERAP stated.
The organisation maintained that the alleged diversion or opaque use of public funds could jeopardise the credibility of the 2027 general elections, stressing that large-scale fiscal flows and weak oversight mechanisms provide sufficient grounds for INEC to activate its constitutional and statutory mandates.
SERAP argued that political financing in Nigeria continues to suffer from inadequate disclosure, weak enforcement mechanisms and limited transparency, creating opportunities for the misuse of public resources for partisan purposes.
Citing Section 91 of the Electoral Act, the group noted that INEC possesses the authority to set limits on political donations to parties and candidates, demand disclosure of contributions and their sources, and impose sanctions for violations.
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The organisation further stated that political parties found guilty of exceeding donation limits are liable to fines of up to N10 million and forfeiture of excess funds, while individuals who breach the limits face penalties amounting to five times the excess contribution.
SERAP also relied on provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption to support its position that public institutions have a duty to ensure transparency, accountability and fairness in the electoral process.
According to the suit, any use of public funds for political advantage would amount to a serious violation of national and international standards and could undermine citizens’ confidence in democratic institutions.
No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the case.
