By David Lawani, Abuja
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations that about ₦800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations was diverted to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu’s anticipated re-election campaign.
The suit marks one of the earliest legal battles over campaign financing ahead of the 2027 general election and places renewed attention on transparency in political funding and the use of public resources for partisan activities.
In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, SERAP is seeking an order compelling INEC to investigate the allegations and determine whether any provisions of the Electoral Act or the Constitution were violated.
The organisation is also asking the court to direct the electoral commission to obtain full disclosure from the APC and the governors allegedly involved regarding any contributions made to campaign-related funds, including the identities of donors and the sources of the money.
SERAP further wants INEC to undertake a broader compliance review under Section 91 of the Electoral Act, relating to campaign financing, political donations, and spending limits, ahead of the 2027 elections.
The rights group, in the suit filed by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi, argued that the allegations raise fundamental questions about transparency, accountability and electoral fairness.
“These allegations raise serious concerns about political finance transparency, electoral fairness and the constitutional right of Nigerians to participate freely in their own government,” SERAP stated.
According to the organisation, any use of public funds for partisan political purposes would amount to an abuse of state resources and undermine confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
SERAP warned that opaque political financing creates opportunities for corruption, undue influence and state capture.
“The allegations of diversion or opaque use of public funds pose a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections,” it argued.
The organisation maintained that Nigerians have a constitutional right to know who finances political parties and election campaigns.
“No individual or political party should be allowed to exceed legally prescribed contribution limits, whether directly or indirectly, and there must be full transparency regarding the origin and scale of political funding,” SERAP added.
The group also accused INEC of failing to proactively enforce safeguards intended to prevent abuses in campaign financing, warning that continued inaction could weaken public trust in the electoral process.
SERAP relied on provisions of the 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 to support its arguments.
No date has been fixed for the hearing.
