Amanze Chinonye
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has challenged the 19 presidential candidates listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 election to put their personal finances under public scrutiny and commit to a campaign free of vote-buying, Prime Business Africa reports.
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In an open letter dated August 8, 2026, SERAP urged the candidates to voluntarily publish their assets and liabilities, including relevant declarations involving their spouses and unmarried children under 18, before asking Nigerians for their votes.
The organisation also wants the candidates to explain the legitimate sources of significant assets, including business interests, investments, real estate, substantial gifts and inheritances.
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SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, who signed the letter, said candidates seeking the presidency should be prepared to demonstrate the same standards of transparency and accountability they would be expected to uphold in public office.
The organisation argued that pre-election disclosure would give voters an opportunity to identify potential conflicts of interest and examine the financial interests of those seeking control of public finances, natural resources and key state institutions.
“Candidates asking Nigerians to entrust them with enormous constitutional powers over public finances, natural resources, appointments and security institutions should be willing, before asking for their votes, to demonstrate that their personal financial affairs can withstand reasonable public scrutiny,” SERAP said.
The group acknowledged that Nigerian law does not expressly require presidential candidates to publish their asset declarations before an election. It nevertheless argued that existing constitutional provisions on transparency, accountability and integrity provide a basis for voluntary disclosure.
SERAP cited Paragraph 11 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution, which requires public officers to declare their properties, assets and liabilities, including those of unmarried children under 18. It also cited Section 140(1), which requires a president-elect to make the prescribed declaration before assuming office.
Beyond asset disclosure, SERAP called on the candidates to make a public commitment against vote-buying and electoral bribery and to direct their parties, campaign organisations, agents and supporters not to distribute money, gifts, food, transport benefits or other inducements in exchange for votes.
It said candidates should also report credible cases of vote-buying linked to their campaigns to the appropriate authorities.
SERAP linked the demand to the constitutional principle that political power derives from the people, citing Section 14(2)(a) of the Constitution. It also referred to Section 125 of the Electoral Act 2026, which it said criminalises bribery and related conduct intended to influence an election.
The organisation warned that vote-buying could turn the exercise of a constitutional right into a financial transaction, particularly where economic hardship leaves voters vulnerable to monetary inducements.
“An election in which citizens’ votes are purchased, coerced or otherwise financially induced cannot genuinely reflect the free political will of the Nigerian people,” SERAP said.
The organisation also invoked Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protects citizens’ rights to participate in public affairs and to vote and be elected in genuine periodic elections.
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SERAP said candidates who win the presidency should update their public asset declarations and explain any material increase in their wealth. It further urged all 19 candidates to sign and publish an integrity pledge committing themselves, their parties and campaign organisations to peaceful, transparent and corruption-free elections.
The candidates named by SERAP are President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick of the National Democratic Party (NDP), Chukwu Anita Zugwai of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Rufai Adekunle Omoaje of the Action Alliance (AA) and Adenuga Sunday of the Boot Party.
The others are Memeh Samuel of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Okereke Sunday Chibuzor of the Labour Party (LP), Okereke Iken Esther of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Abbas-Bin Aliyu of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Seyi Makinde of the Accord Party Movement (APM) and Yusuf Kabiru of the Allied Peoples Party (APP).
SERAP said the 2027 presidential contest should ultimately be determined by candidates’ policies, competence, character and vision rather than their financial capacity.
“The choice before Nigerians in 2027 should be a choice based on ideas, policies, competence and integrity not on who can spend the most money or conceal the most wealth,” it said.
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.
