By Seyi Odewale
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to disclose political contribution limits and details of its mechanisms for monitoring party finances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2114/2026, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order compelling INEC to disclose whether it has prescribed limits on political contributions under Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2026.
The organisation is also asking the court to compel the commission to publish the applicable limits and explain how they are being communicated to political parties, candidates, donors and the public.
SERAP is further seeking disclosure of systems and procedures established by INEC to monitor, investigate and enforce compliance with political contribution and campaign expenditure limits.
The organisation said the information was necessary ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that voters and civil society organisations could not effectively scrutinise political financing without access to the applicable rules.
“Greater transparency in political financing is essential to ensuring that the 2027 elections are conducted on a level playing field and that citizens can make free and informed political choices,” SERAP said in the suit.
It is also asking INEC to disclose political parties’ latest financial statements, audited accounts, sources of funds, assets, liabilities and election expenditure returns for 2023–2025.
SERAP wants the commission to publish its examination and audit reports under Sections 225 and 226 of the Constitution, including reports submitted to the National Assembly and enforcement actions taken over alleged political-finance violations.
The organisation further wants INEC to disclose details of parties that submitted post-2023 contribution reports, dates of submission and actions taken against parties that failed to meet statutory reporting requirements.
According to SERAP, Section 91(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 empowers INEC to limit the amount individuals can contribute to political parties or candidates and to demand information on donations and their sources.
“Where INEC has exercised its power under section 91, Nigerians are entitled to know the applicable contribution limits and how the Commission intends to ensure compliance with them,” the organisation argued.
SERAP also contended that INEC’s constitutional responsibilities extend beyond receiving party financial statements to examining accounts, conducting investigations and reporting on political-party finances.
The organisation said the disclosure was particularly important as political parties and candidates were already mobilising resources and incurring campaign-related expenditure ahead of 2027.
It urged INEC to clarify whether contribution limits had been prescribed and, if so, publish them prominently, including on its website.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.
