The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to disclose political contribution limits and details of political parties' finances ahead of the 2027 general elections. The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks an order of mandamus compelling INEC to disclose prescribed limits on political contributions and measures taken to publish and communicate them to political parties, candidates, donors, and the public.
SERAP is also seeking an order compelling INEC to disclose the systems and procedures in place to monitor, investigate, and enforce compliance with prescribed limits on political contributions and campaign expenditure, particularly in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The organization argues that greater transparency in political financing is essential to ensuring that the 2027 elections are conducted on a level playing field and that citizens are able to make free and informed political choices.
According to SERAP, INEC's constitutional responsibility is not simply to receive financial statements from political parties, but to examine party finances, conduct investigations, and report to the National Assembly. The organization noted that publishing these reports would enable Nigerians to know whether these constitutional and statutory responsibilities have been effectively discharged.
SERAP is specifically asking the court to compel INEC to publish parties' latest financial statements, audited accounts, sources of funds, assets, liabilities, and election-expenditure returns for 2023-2025. The organization also wants INEC to state its examination and audit reports under Sections 225 and 226, including reports submitted to the National Assembly and enforcement actions taken over political-finance violations.
The suit was filed by SERAP's lawyers, Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Kehinde Oyewumi, Andrew Nwankwo, and Valentina Adegoke. No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit. The case has significant implications for the transparency and accountability of political financing in Nigeria.
The 2027 general elections are expected to be a major event in Nigeria's democratic calendar, and the issue of political financing has become increasingly important. SERAP's lawsuit is seeking to ensure that INEC is transparent and accountable in its regulation of political parties' finances.
The outcome of the suit will be closely watched by stakeholders in Nigeria's electoral process, including civil society organizations, political parties, and the general public.
Key points
- SERAP sues INEC over alleged failure to disclose political contribution limits and party finances.
- The lawsuit seeks to ensure transparency and accountability in political financing ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- The case has significant implications for Nigeria's democratic process.
