ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to investigate allegations that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), diverted about N800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee, (FAAC), funds for political and campaign purposes ahead of the 2027 elections.
SERAP, in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, urged the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, to immediately commence what it described as a thorough, impartial, transparent and independent investigation into the allegations.
The organisation also asked the electoral body to compel full disclosure from the APC governors and the party regarding any alleged campaign fund, including details of donors and the lawful sources of the money.
According to SERAP, INEC should collaborate with anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to ensure that anyone found culpable faces prosecution, fines and forfeiture of unlawful contributions.
The group further urged the commission to review compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by political parties and candidates, especially concerning the sources and scale of campaign financing ahead of the next general elections.
In a letter dated May 16, 2026 and signed by Oluwadare, SERAP said the allegations raised serious concerns about political finance transparency, electoral fairness and Nigerians’ constitutional right to freely participate in governance.
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It stated, “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.”
The organisation said opaque political financing remained a major gateway for corruption and a threat to democratic legitimacy, insisting that Nigerians deserved to know who funds political parties and candidates.
SERAP said the alleged diversion or opaque deployment of public funds posed a grave threat to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest,” the organisation warned.
The group also lamented what it described as low levels of transparency in political finance and weak enforcement of existing regulations in Nigeria.
Citing Section 91 of the Electoral Act, SERAP noted that INEC had the powers to set donation limits, demand disclosure of contributions and sources of funds, and impose sanctions for violations.
It added that political parties exceeding the prescribed donation limit risk fines of up to N10 million and forfeiture of excess funds, while individuals who exceed the limit could be fined up to five times the amount contributed above the legal threshold.
According to SERAP, reports indicated that APC governors were allegedly making monthly deductions from their FAAC allocations into a dedicated campaign fund to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“These allegations raise serious concerns regarding political and campaign finance transparency, democratic governance, electoral integrity, and the fundamental right of Nigerians to political participation,” the organisation said.
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It stressed that the right to political participation required that citizens have a genuine opportunity to exercise their political rights in a free and transparent environment.
SERAP maintained that the scale of the alleged financial contributions and the opaque nature of the deductions provided sufficient basis for INEC to activate its constitutional and statutory investigative powers.
The organisation further argued that the misuse of public resources for political advantage distorts electoral competition and weakens the principle of a level playing field.
“Any use of public funds for political advantage would constitute a grave violation of national and international standards and a threat to electoral credibility,” it added.
SERAP also cited provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, saying Nigeria had binding obligations to ensure accountability and transparency in political financing.
The group warned that failure by INEC to proactively enforce constitutional and electoral provisions on campaign finance could further erode public trust in democratic institutions.
It insisted that the commission had both constitutional and statutory responsibilities to ensure that no political party or individual exceeded legally prescribed donation limits, whether directly or indirectly.
According to SERAP, where there are allegations that large-scale financial resources, including state-derived funds, are being used to influence political activities outside lawful channels, such matters fall squarely within INEC’s preventive and investigative mandate under the Electoral Act.