2027: SERAP sues INEC over donation limits, party finances

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to disclose political contribution limits under Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2026 and details of political parties’ finances ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/2114/2026, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling INEC to disclose whether it has prescribed limits on political contributions, the specific limits 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.”

SERAP argued 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.”

It further argued that: “INEC’s constitutional responsibility is not simply to receive financial statements from political parties,” noting that the constitution requires the commission to examine party finances, conduct investigations and report to the National Assembly.

SERAPsaid, “Publishing these reports would enable Nigerians to know whether these constitutional and statutory responsibilities have been effectively discharged.”

The organisation urged 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.

SERAP 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 hearing of the suit.