Agency Report
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission to court over its alleged failure to investigate claims that All Progressives Congress governors diverted N800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee allocations for political and campaign purposes.
SERAP, in a statement released on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The organization citing media reports said, “APC governors are allegedly making monthly contributions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations to a dedicated campaign fund to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.”
It attached a Premium Times opinion article by columnist Festus Adedayo, published on May 17, 2026, as Exhibit A3 in support of its application.
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The article referenced claims that about N800 billion allegedly set aside for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign was misappropriated.
It also alleged that APC governors were making monthly deductions from their FAAC allocations into a campaign fund.
SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to investigate the allegations.
It is also seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to request full disclosure from the governors and APC regarding the alleged contributions made to any dedicated campaign fund, including the names of donors and the lawful origin of funds.”
The body is further seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to promptly initiate a formal review and investigation into compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by all political parties and candidates, particularly in relation to the sources and scale of political or campaign financing in the current political cycle.”
SERAP argued that the allegations raise serious concerns about political finance transparency, electoral fairness and Nigerians’ constitutional right to participate freely in government.
It said opaque political financing remained a major avenue for corruption and threatened democratic legitimacy.
The suit, filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi, argued that the alleged diversion or opaque use of public funds posed “a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.”
According to the organisation, large-scale public fiscal flows and weak transparency and oversight mechanisms provide sufficient grounds for INEC to exercise its constitutional and statutory powers.
SERAP contended that the Electoral Act empowers INEC to set limits on political donations, require disclosure of contributions and their sources, and enforce sanctions for violations.
“Section 91 of the Electoral Act empowers and requires INEC to set limits on political donations that individuals or entities can make to political parties or candidates and demand disclosure of contributions and sources of funds, and enforce sanctions against violations.
“Section 91 establishes that any political party that exceeds the prescribed donation limit is liable to a fine of up to ₦10,000,000, plus forfeiture of the excess amount. It provides that any individual who exceeds the donation limit commits an offence and is liable to a fine equal to five times the amount donated in excess of the legal limit.
“Section 91(2) of the Electoral Act provides that any individual, candidate, or political party that exceeds the donation limits set by INEC commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to sanctions.
“For political parties, this includes a fine of up to ₦10,000,000 and forfeiture of any amount received above the prescribed limit, while individuals are liable to a penalty of five times the amount contributed in excess of the allowable limit.
“Exceeding donation limits attracts sanctions, including fines, forfeiture of excess funds, and penalties of up to five times the amount contributed in excess for individuals,” it said.
SERAP maintained that where allegations involve the possible use of state-derived or publicly controlled funds for political activities, the electoral commission has a duty to exercise its investigative and monitoring powers under the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The organisation also argued that INEC’s alleged failure to proactively enforce campaign finance provisions undermines public confidence in the electoral process and Nigerians’ right to participate in government.
