SERAP Calls For Stricter Oversight Of Political Donations Ahead Of 2027

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called for tighter regulation of political donations and campaign financing ahead of the 2027 general elections.

SERAP specifically called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to broaden its supervision of the flow of funds to political parties and candidates participating in the polls.

The organisation, which made the demands in a Freedom of Information request dated 22 August 2026 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, called for the publication of INEC’s reports on its examination and audits of political parties’ finances from 2023 to 2025, including annual reports submitted to the National Assembly.

It also requested the latest detailed statements from political parties indicating their assets and liabilities, sources of funds, and other assets and expenditures.

The civil society organisation further urged INEC to disclose enforcement actions taken regarding political-finance and expenditure violations, and to identify political parties that failed to submit contribution reports post the 2023 general elections.

SERAP also asked the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, whether the Commission has used its statutory powers to impose limits on political contributions as outlined in Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2026.

It stated that once contribution limits are set, INEC should promptly publish them and ensure they are accessible to political parties, candidates, donors, and the wider Nigerian public.

SERAP further demanded detailed information about the systems, personnel, and procedures established by the electoral commission to monitor, investigate, and enforce compliance with political donation and campaign expenditure limits during the 2027 electoral process.

It maintained that INEC’s oversight should extend beyond traditional monetary donations to include in-kind contributions, digital and social media funding, third-party campaign spending, and funds channelled through intermediaries to bypass statutory restrictions.

The civil society organisation expressed concern over increasing monetisation of elections in Nigeria, warning that lax oversight of political funding could allow wealthy individuals and undisclosed financial interests to wield disproportionate influence over electoral outcomes.

“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 stated.

It argued that INEC’s role goes beyond collecting financial statements from political parties; it also involves scrutinising their finances, conducting investigations, and reporting findings to the National Assembly.

SERAP stated that INEC should also reveal the dates when parties submitted their reports and detail actions taken against those missing statutory deadlines.

Highlighting the importance of effective oversight, SERAP noted that political parties and candidates are already mobilising resources, soliciting donations, purchasing media and digital advertisements, and organising rallies.

It warned that without proper monitoring, political spending could be concealed through third parties, consultants, intermediaries, or digital platforms.

The organisation cited Section 91(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which authorises INEC to set limits on individual contributions to political entities and to demand information on the amount and source of donations.

It also referenced Section 91(2), which prescribes sanctions for exceeding these limits.

Therefore, SERAP urged INEC to clarify whether it has established such limits, the criteria used to determine them, and the mechanisms to ensure compliance.

It also called for disclosure of the 2027 political-finance monitoring plan, including arrangements for real-time or near-real-time oversight, and cooperation with anti-corruption agencies, financial intelligence units, regulators, and law enforcement bodies.

SERAP noted Nigeria’s history of excessive campaign spending, opaque funding sources, insufficient disclosure, and weak enforcement, underscoring the need for stronger oversight before the 2027 elections.

“The existence of statutory limits on political contributions and election expenditure is intended not merely to facilitate retrospective accounting after an election but to prevent excessive financial influence while political competition is taking place,” SERAP said.

It also invoked Sections 225 and 226 of the 1999 Constitution, which impose obligations for financial reporting and oversight of political parties, requiring INEC to examine their accounts and conduct investigations where necessary.

SERAP warned that citizens cannot exercise their political rights meaningfully if undisclosed or excessive financial resources distort the electoral process.

It gave INEC seven days from receipt or publication of the request to provide the necessary information, warning that it could take legal action to enforce compliance if no response is received.

SERAP insisted that increased scrutiny of political donations is crucial to prevent financial dominance from overshadowing voters’ choices and to maintain the credibility of the 2027 elections.