Amanze Chinonye
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sued Nigeria’s electoral commission at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking disclosure of political contribution limits and financial records of political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, Prime Business Africa reports.
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In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2114/2026, SERAP is asking the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disclose the contribution limits prescribed under Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2026, how they were communicated to political parties, candidates and donors, and the measures in place to monitor and enforce compliance.
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INEC’s 2026 Regulations and Guidelines state that an individual, group of individuals or entity may contribute up to 500 million naira to a political party or aspirant for an election. The guidelines also require parties receiving more than 500 million naira in monetary or other contributions to identify and disclose the source to the commission.
SERAP is seeking an order requiring INEC to disclose the systems it uses to monitor political contributions and campaign expenditure, including cash and in-kind donations, digital and social-media advertising, political consultants and third-party campaign spending.
It is also asking the court to compel the commission to publish political parties’ latest financial statements, audited accounts, sources of funds, assets, liabilities and election expenditure returns for 2023 to 2025, as well as its examination and audit reports and details of enforcement action taken over political-finance violations.
SERAP argues that INEC’s constitutional responsibilities extend beyond receiving financial statements from political parties. It cited Section 226 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires the commission to prepare annual reports on parties’ accounts and balance sheets and conduct investigations necessary to determine whether proper books and records have been maintained.
The organisation said greater transparency in political financing would enable voters, journalists and civil-society groups to scrutinise political funding and identify excessive or undisclosed contributions before they distort electoral competition.
SERAP also cited Section 91 of the Electoral Act, which empowers INEC to limit contributions to political parties and candidates and require information on the amount donated and the source of funds. The section provides sanctions for exceeding limits prescribed by the commission.
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The suit asks INEC to disclose which political parties submitted contribution reports after the 2023 elections, when the reports were filed and what action was taken against parties that failed to comply with statutory reporting requirements.
SERAP said the disclosure was particularly important as parties and candidates were already mobilising resources, organising political activities and incurring campaign-related expenditure ahead of the 2027 elections.
The organisation also cited provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights concerning political participation and access to information.
The case 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.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
