‎BY AHMED AKANBI
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‎The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to disclosev limits on political contributions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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‎The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/2114/2026 and filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, was instituted by its lawyers, Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Kehinde Oyewumi, Andrew Nwankwo and Valentina Adegoke.
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‎Although no date has been fixed for hearing, SERAP is asking the court to compel INEC to disclose whether it has exercised its powers under Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2026 to prescribe limits on political contributions, and the specific limits prescribed, if any.
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‎It is also seeking an order compelling the commission to disclose measures put in place to monitor, investigate and enforce compliance with political contribution and campaign expenditure limits.
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‎”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,” SERAP said.
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‎The organisation further wants INEC to publish political parties’ latest financial statements, audited accounts, sources of funds, assets, liabilities and election expenditure returns covering 2023 to 2025.
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‎It is also asking for the commission’s examination and audit reports, including reports submitted to the National Assembly, as well as details of enforcement action taken over political-finance violations.
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‎According to SERAP, voters, journalists and civil society organisations would struggle to effectively scrutinise political financing if contribution limits and compliance mechanisms are not publicly accessible.
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‎”INEC should be compelled to disclose and publish the political-contribution limits prescribed under section 91 of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as political parties’ latest financial statements, audited accounts, sources of funds, assets, liabilities and election-expenditure returns for 2023-2025,” it said.
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‎SERAP argued that INEC’s responsibilities extend beyond receiving financial statements from political parties, citing constitutional provisions requiring it to examine party finances and conduct investigations where necessary.
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‎”Citizens cannot meaningfully exercise their political rights if undisclosed or excessive financial resources are allowed to distort the political process,” the group said.
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‎It also urged INEC to explain the methodology used in determining any contribution limits and how it intends to monitor political financing during the campaign period, including cash and in-kind contributions, digital and social-media advertising, political consultants and third-party campaign expenditure.