2027: SERAP Sues INEC Over Failure To Disclose Political Donation Limits, Party Finances
By Sunday Etuka
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding transparency on campaign donation limits and the financial records of political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the suit, SERAP argues that Nigerians remain in the dark about whether INEC has set, published and enforced limits on political contributions, and questioned how parties and candidates would be held responsible for exceeding those limits or hiding donations from public view.
The group emphasized that openness around party finances is essential to citizens’ constitutional right to take part in public life and form political associations, warning that unchecked or hidden money threatens to skew the democratic process.
According to the suit, political actors are already raising funds, running digital and traditional media campaigns, hosting rallies, and spending heavily as the election season gets underway.
SERAP wants INEC to explain how it plans to track this spending, covering cash and in-kind donations, social media advertising, campaign consultants and third-party expenditure.
The organisation cited Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2026, which empowers INEC to cap contributions to parties and candidates and to demand disclosure of donation sources, with penalties for violations. SERAP contends this provision exists to curb undue financial influence while campaigns are still ongoing, not merely to allow after-the-fact auditing.
The suit further invokes Section 226 of the Constitution, which obligates INEC to submit annual reports to the National Assembly on party accounts and to investigate whether parties are keeping proper financial records, with powers to access their books and demand explanations.
SERAP is asking INEC to state clearly whether contribution limits have been fixed and, if so, to publish them prominently, including on its website, along with the methodology used to set them and how the limits guard against corruption and unfair electoral advantage.
The group also referenced international human rights instruments, including the ICCPR and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantee citizens’ rights to participate in public affairs and access information.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
