The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for allegedly failing to disclose limits on political donations. The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks to compel INEC to state whether it has set limits on political contributions under Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2026. SERAP also wants INEC to publish any limits set and explain how it plans to enforce them.
SERAP's lawsuit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2114/2026, further seeks to compel INEC to disclose the systems and procedures in place to monitor political donations and campaign spending. The organization argues that the failure to make these limits public has created uncertainty among political parties, candidates, donors, and voters about the rules governing political donations. This uncertainty could potentially undermine the transparency and fairness of the 2027 general elections.
According to SERAP, greater transparency in political financing is essential to ensuring that the 2027 elections are conducted on a level playing field. This would enable citizens to make free and informed political choices. The organization emphasizes that INEC's constitutional duty goes beyond simply receiving financial records from political parties. INEC is required to examine party finances, carry out necessary investigations, and report to the National Assembly.
SERAP is also seeking details of INEC's plans to monitor political financing during the 2027 elections. This includes information on cash and non-cash donations, digital and social media advertising, political consultants, and campaign spending by third parties. The organization relies on Section 91(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which gives INEC the power to limit the amount of money or other assets an individual can donate to a political party or candidate.
The lawsuit, filed by SERAP's lawyers, seeks to compel INEC to publish political parties' latest financial statements, audited accounts, sources of funds, assets, liabilities, and election expenditure returns for 2023 to 2025. SERAP also wants INEC to release its examination and audit reports on political parties, including reports submitted to the National Assembly, as well as details of actions taken against political-finance violations.
Section 225 and 226 of the Constitution empower INEC to examine party finances and report to the National Assembly. SERAP argues that disclosure of this information is crucial, especially since political parties and candidates have already started raising funds and spending money in preparation for the 2027 elections. The organization's lawsuit aims to ensure that INEC upholds its constitutional responsibilities and promotes transparency in political financing.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit. The case was filed by SERAP's lawyers, including Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Kehinde Oyewumi, Andrew Nwankwo, and Valentina Adegoke. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the transparency and accountability of political financing in Nigeria.
Key points
- SERAP sues INEC over unclear political donation limits ahead of 2027 elections
- INEC's failure to disclose limits creates uncertainty among political stakeholders
- Lawsuit seeks transparency in political financing to ensure level playing field for 2027 elections
