The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the electoral body of failing to investigate allegations that about ₦800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations was diverted for political campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja under FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, seeks an order compelling INEC to investigate claims that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) contributed public funds into a dedicated campaign account allegedly intended to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
According to SERAP, the allegations raise significant concerns about transparency in political financing, electoral fairness, and Nigerians’ constitutional right to participate in credible democratic processes.
The organisation is also asking the court to direct INEC to demand full disclosure from the APC and the governors regarding any contributions made to the alleged campaign fund, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds. In addition, SERAP wants the commission to begin a comprehensive review of compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act, particularly regarding campaign financing limits, disclosure requirements, and the sources of political donations by parties and candidates.
Represented by lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi, SERAP argued that opaque political financing remains one of the biggest threats to democratic accountability, stressing that citizens deserve to know who finances political parties and candidates seeking public office. The group maintained that if public funds were diverted for campaign purposes, such actions would undermine public confidence in the electoral process and compromise the integrity of the 2027 elections.
SERAP further argued that the Electoral Act empowers INEC to regulate political donations, enforce contribution limits, require disclosure of funding sources, and impose sanctions where violations occur. The organisation cited constitutional provisions, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption as legal foundations requiring transparency and accountability in political financing.
According to SERAP, allegations involving large-scale public funds being used for political purposes warrant immediate investigation to protect electoral credibility and ensure equal political competition. The group also contended that public institutions have a constitutional obligation to prevent abuse of state resources and uphold transparent democratic governance. As of the time of filing the suit, the Federal High Court had not fixed a date for hearing the matter.
