The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to launch an immediate investigation into allegations that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted about N800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds for political and campaign purposes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a letter dated May 16, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged the Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, to carry out what it described as a thorough, transparent and independent probe into the allegations.
The letter accused the APC governors of allegedly making monthly deductions from FAAC allocations into a campaign fund reportedly linked to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
According to SERAP, the allegations pose a serious threat to electoral integrity, democratic governance and Nigerians’ constitutional right to freely participate in government.
The organisation urged INEC to compel the governors and the APC to disclose all contributions allegedly made into the campaign fund and reveal the lawful sources of such funds.
SERAP said, “According to reports, governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are allegedly making monthly contributions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations to a dedicated campaign fund to fund President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.”
It added, “These allegations raise serious concerns regarding political and campaign finance transparency, democratic governance, electoral integrity, and the fundamental right of Nigerians to political participation.”
The anti-corruption organisation also asked INEC to collaborate with relevant anti-graft and law enforcement agencies to investigate possible breaches of the Electoral Act and prosecute offenders where necessary.
SERAP stated, “We urge you to urgently collaborate with appropriate anticorruption and law enforcement agencies to enforce applicable sanctions where violations are identified, including prosecution, fines and forfeiture of any unlawful contributions.”
The group further demanded that INEC begin a comprehensive review of political financing activities by all parties and candidates in the current political cycle, particularly regarding the sources and scale of campaign funding.
According to the organisation, opaque political financing remains one of the biggest threats to democratic accountability in Nigeria.
“Opaque political financing remains a major entry point for corruption and a threat to democratic legitimacy. Nigerians deserve to know who funds the candidates or political parties of their choice and any sources of any such funding,” the letter read.
SERAP warned that any misuse of public funds for political advantage would amount to a violation of both Nigerian laws and international anti-corruption standards.
“The allegations of diversion or opaque use of public funds pose a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections,” the organisation stated.
It added that the alleged misuse of public resources could distort electoral competition and weaken citizens’ ability to freely choose their representatives.
“Where public resources are allegedly diverted or deployed for political and campaign purposes, the result is not merely financial impropriety — it is a direct distortion of electoral competition,” SERAP said.
The organisation cited Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2022, which empowers INEC to regulate political donations, demand disclosures and impose sanctions for violations.
According to SERAP, political parties found guilty of exceeding donation limits could face fines of up to N10 million and forfeiture of excess funds, while individuals could be fined up to five times the amount illegally contributed.
“Section 91 establishes that any political party that exceeds the prescribed donation limit is liable to a fine of up to ₦10,000,000, plus forfeiture of the excess amount,” the organisation noted.
The group also referenced constitutional provisions and international treaties ratified by Nigeria, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, insisting that INEC has a constitutional obligation to protect electoral integrity and prevent abuse of public resources.
SERAP warned that failure by INEC to investigate the allegations could further erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
