“SERAP Drags INEC To Court” — Seeks Probe Of Alleged ₦800bn APC Campaign Fund

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission over its alleged failure to investigate claims that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress diverted ₦800 billion in public funds for political and campaign purposes.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja by SERAP’s lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi.

SERAP is asking the court for an order of mandamus compelling INEC to investigate allegations that APC governors made monthly contributions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee allocations to a dedicated campaign fund reportedly intended to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The organisation is also seeking an order directing INEC to demand full disclosure from the governors and the APC regarding the alleged contributions, including the identities of the donors, the amounts contributed and the lawful sources of the funds.

SERAP further wants the electoral commission to commence a formal investigation into the compliance of political parties and candidates with Section 91 of the Electoral Act, particularly concerning the sources, amounts and limits of political and campaign donations during the current electoral cycle.

According to SERAP, the allegations raise serious concerns about campaign-finance transparency, electoral fairness and the constitutional right of Nigerians to participate freely in government.

It argued that the alleged diversion or opaque use of public resources on such a scale could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections and give the ruling party an unfair electoral advantage.

SERAP maintained that political financing in Nigeria remained characterised by inadequate disclosure, limited transparency and weak enforcement, creating opportunities for public funds to be deployed for political purposes.

The organisation argued that INEC has constitutional and statutory responsibilities to monitor political financing, obtain disclosure of donations and their sources, enforce prescribed contribution limits and impose sanctions where violations are established.

It cited Section 91 of the Electoral Act, which empowers INEC to regulate political donations and provides sanctions against parties and individuals who exceed limits prescribed by the commission.

SERAP also relied on Sections 13, 14 and 15 of the 1999 Constitution, Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

It contended that the alleged use of state resources for political advantage would distort electoral competition, undermine public confidence and prevent citizens from freely choosing their representatives.

SERAP therefore urged the court to compel INEC to exercise its investigative and monitoring powers and ensure transparency concerning the alleged ₦800 billion campaign fund.