The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission over alleged failure to investigate claims that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress diverted N800bn for political and campaign activities.
SERAP, in the suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, is asking the court to compel INEC to probe allegations that APC governors have been making monthly contributions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee allocations into a dedicated fund for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed by SERAP’s lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi. 
The organisation is seeking an order of mandamus directing INEC to demand full disclosure from the governors and the APC on the alleged campaign fund, including the identities of contributors and the sources of the funds.
SERAP is also asking the court to compel the electoral body to investigate whether political parties and candidates are complying with the provisions of Section 91 of the Electoral Act on campaign finance limits and transparency.
According to SERAP, the allegations raised concerns about political finance accountability, electoral fairness and the ability of Nigerians to freely participate in the democratic process.
“Opaque political financing remains a major entry point for corruption and a threat to democratic legitimacy.
“Nigerians deserve to know who funds the candidates or political parties of their choice and the sources of any such funding,” SERAP said.
The organisation argued that the alleged use of public resources for political advantage could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
“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,” it stated.
SERAP maintained that INEC has a constitutional responsibility to monitor political financing and ensure that parties and candidates comply with campaign finance regulations.
“The commission has constitutional and statutory obligations to ensure that no individual or political party exceeds legally prescribed contribution limits, whether directly or indirectly, and to ensure full transparency regarding the origin and quantum of political funding,” the suit read.
The group said allegations involving large financial resources and possible misuse of public funds required urgent intervention by INEC to protect the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
“The allegations of diversion or opaque use of public funds pose a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections,” SERAP stated.
It argued that any deployment of public funds for political purposes could distort competition among candidates and political parties.
“Where public resources are allegedly diverted or deployed for political and campaign purposes, the result is not merely financial impropriety; it is a direct distortion of electoral competition,” the suit added.
SERAP also relied on provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
SERAP argued that Section 14(2)(c) of the Constitution, which guarantees citizens’ participation in government, places an obligation on institutions to protect the integrity of the democratic process.
“The provision also imposes a binding obligation on all institutions, including INEC, to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process.
“Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Section 13 imposes a clear responsibility on INEC to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the Constitution.
“Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights guarantees every citizen the right to participate freely in government. Similarly, Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights requires that elections reflect the free expression of the will of the electorate. Nigeria has ratified both treaties.
“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources. Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the Commission to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds.
“These commitments ought to be fully upheld and respected. Article 7(3) of the Convention requires institutions, including INEC, to ensure political finance transparency. The provisions aim to prevent corruption in and through elections,” the suit read.
It further stated that the alleged deployment of public resources for political purposes would not only amount to financial impropriety but could distort electoral competition.
“Where public resources are allegedly diverted or deployed for political and campaign purposes, the result is not merely financial impropriety; it is a direct distortion of electoral competition,” it added.
The group said any use of public funds for political advantage would constitute “a grave violation of national and international standards and a threat to electoral credibility.”
The organisation said these legal frameworks impose obligations on public institutions to promote transparency, accountability and fairness in electoral processes.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
