The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has given the Independent National Electoral Commission seven days to account for over ₦126.46 billion in public funds appropriated for electoral operations but allegedly “diverted, lost, mismanaged or otherwise unaccounted for.”
The organisation noted that the funds relate to the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices and materials, sensitive materials, and result sheets, among other goods and services required for the conduct and administration of elections.
The call was contained in a statement issued on Saturday, September 12, 2026, by the organisation’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
It referenced the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on August 7, 2026, which covered periods between January and December 2022 and, in some cases, extended to December 31, 2023.
“SERAP urged INEC to account for the over ₦126 billion, including the amounts paid, the beneficiaries of the payments, the contracts and procurement processes, the contractors and suppliers involved, and evidence of delivery, utilisation and the current status of the goods, services and electoral assets concerned,” the statement partly read.
The organisation also urged the INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan and the commission “to refer the alleged diversion, unlawful expenditure, procurement violations and other financial misconduct documented by the Auditor-General to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation, prosecution and recovery.”
It added that Amupitan and INEC should “identify the public officials, contractors, companies, suppliers and consultants responsible and take all necessary steps to recover any of the over ₦126 billion found to have been unlawfully or irregularly paid, lost, diverted, or paid for goods and services not supplied or properly utilised.”
The organisation said, “Electoral resources are public resources. INEC must be able to account for every naira, demonstrate that it was lawfully spent and show that it served the purposes for which it was appropriated.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”
Adding further, SERAP stated that “these findings are particularly disturbing given the constitutional importance of INEC and the fact that the expenditure concerns resources appropriated for the administration of Nigeria’s electoral system.
“These findings suggest a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), national anti-corruption laws, and the country’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.
“According to the Auditor-General, INEC ‘irregularly paid’ over ₦112 billion [₦112,155,597,845.00] ‘for ballot boxes, electoral devices, items and materials without competitive bidding or a BPP Certificate of No Objection.’”
“The Auditor-General found ‘no evidence that the items were procured.’ The ‘contracts were awarded to companies whose competences, experience, capacities, addresses and factory locations were unknown.’ He is concerned that the money ‘may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered.”
The organisation also stated, “INEC also ‘paid over ₦1 billion [₦1,058,925,000.00] for Toyota Prado TXL 2021 Model without advertisement, competitive bidding, bid evaluation or a BPP Certificate of No Objection.’ The Auditor-General fears that the money ‘may have been lost’ and that the contracts ‘may have been inflated.’
