The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately investigate allegations that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress diverted about N800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds for political activities linked to the 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated May 16, 2026, signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called on INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to conduct what it described as an independent, transparent and comprehensive investigation into the claims.
SERAP alleged that APC governors were reportedly making monthly deductions from their FAAC allocations into a special campaign purse allegedly tied to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election project.
The organisation warned that the allegations, if left unchecked, could undermine electoral credibility, democratic governance and citizens’ constitutional rights to political participation.
“According to reports, governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are allegedly making monthly contributions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations to a dedicated campaign fund to fund President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign,” SERAP stated.
It added, “These allegations raise serious concerns regarding political and campaign finance transparency, democratic governance, electoral integrity, and the fundamental right of Nigerians to political participation.”
SERAP also asked INEC to compel the governors and the APC to publicly disclose all alleged contributions made into the campaign fund, including the legitimate sources of such funds.
The group further urged the electoral commission to work with anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to investigate possible breaches of the Electoral Act and apply sanctions where necessary.
“We urge you to urgently collaborate with appropriate anticorruption and law enforcement agencies to enforce applicable sanctions where violations are identified, including prosecution, fines and forfeiture of any unlawful contributions,” the organisation said.
SERAP called for a wider review of political financing activities involving all political parties and candidates participating in the current electoral cycle, especially concerning the scale and origin of campaign financing.
According to the organisation, secretive political funding remains a major danger to democratic accountability in Nigeria.
“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 any sources of any such funding,” the letter read.
The anti-corruption body argued that the alleged use of public resources for campaign purposes would violate both domestic laws and international anti-corruption obligations binding on Nigeria.
“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 further warned that using state resources to gain political advantage could compromise fairness in the electoral process and weaken citizens’ freedom to choose their leaders.
“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 organisation said.
SERAP referenced Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2022, which empowers INEC to regulate political donations, demand disclosures and sanction violators.
“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,” the organisation noted.
The group also cited constitutional provisions as well as international treaties ratified by Nigeria, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the United Nations, insisting that INEC is constitutionally bound to safeguard electoral integrity and prevent abuse of public resources.
SERAP warned that failure to act on the allegations could further damage public confidence in the country’s electoral system.
“Any failure to proactively enforce the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act regarding the allegations of political finance distortion would further undermine public trust in electoral institutions and potentially compromise the right of Nigerians to participate in their own government,” it stated.
The organisation gave INEC a seven-day deadline to respond or risk legal action.
“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 letter added.
