By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately publish political contribution limits and disclose measures put in place to monitor campaign financing ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a Freedom of Information request dated August 22, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, to reveal whether the Commission had exercised its powers under Section 91 of the Electoral Act, 2026, to prescribe limits on donations to political parties and candidates.
The organisation also demanded that any existing limits be widely publicised to political parties, candidates, donors and the general public in the interest of transparency and fair electoral competition.
SERAP further requested details of INEC’s systems, personnel and procedures for monitoring political contributions and campaign spending during the ongoing 2027 electoral process.
The group asked the electoral body to disclose its methodology for tracking political financing, including cash and in-kind donations, digital and social media financing, third-party spending and donations made through intermediaries that could be used to bypass statutory limits.
According to SERAP, transparency in political financing is essential to guaranteeing a level playing field and enabling Nigerians to make informed political choices.
“INEC’s constitutional responsibility is not limited to receiving financial statements from political parties.
The Constitution requires the Commission to examine party finances, conduct investigations and report to the National Assembly,” the organisation stated.
SERAP expressed concern over what it described as the growing monetisation of elections and the risk of abuse of state institutions, warning that such trends pose serious threats to democratic integrity and electoral competitiveness.
The organisation noted that the absence of publicly available contribution limits and effective monitoring mechanisms makes it difficult for voters, journalists and civil society groups to scrutinise campaign financing.
It also highlighted long-standing concerns over opaque sources of political funding, weak disclosure requirements and limited enforcement of spending rules in Nigeria’s electoral system.
SERAP maintained that Nigerians have a right to know whether political parties and candidates are complying with campaign finance regulations and whether violations attract sanctions.
The organisation therefore urged INEC to publish political parties’ financial records, including audited accounts, annual statements, election expenditure returns and reports submitted to the National Assembly for the period covering 2023 to 2025.
It also called for the disclosure of any enforcement actions taken against political parties or candidates found to have breached political finance regulations.
SERAP further requested that INEC unveil its monitoring strategy for the 2027 elections, including arrangements for real-time oversight and collaboration with anti-corruption, financial intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
The group stressed that political parties and candidates had already begun mobilising resources, purchasing media advertisements and organising campaign activities, making transparency in political financing crucial to preserving the integrity of the electoral process.
Citing Section 91 of the Electoral Act, 2026, SERAP noted that INEC is empowered to place limits on political donations and demand information on the sources of campaign funds.
It also referenced Sections 225 and 226 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandate the Commission to examine political parties’ accounts and submit annual reports to the National Assembly.
SERAP gave INEC seven days to provide the requested information, warning that it would pursue legal action should the Commission fail to comply.
The organisation said effective regulation of political financing remains vital to safeguarding democracy, ensuring equal political participation and protecting the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
