2027: INEC Gets 7-Day Ultimatum To Reveal Party Finances

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disclose political contribution limits and publish detailed financial records of political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a Freedom of Information request dated August 22, 2026, and signed by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation asked INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to disclose whether the commission has exercised its powers under Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2026 to set limits on political contributions.

SERAP also asked INEC to publish any applicable limits and explain how it intends to monitor and enforce compliance with contribution and campaign expenditure rules during the 2027 electoral process.

The organisation said INEC should disclose its methodology for tracking political financing, including cash and in-kind donations, digital and social media funding, third-party expenditure and contributions made through intermediaries.

SERAP argued that greater transparency in political financing was necessary to ensure a level playing field and enable Nigerians to make free and informed political choices.

It said INEC’s constitutional responsibility goes beyond receiving financial statements from political parties, noting that the commission is required to examine party finances, conduct necessary investigations and report its findings to the National Assembly.

According to SERAP, publishing such reports would allow citizens, journalists and civil society organisations to scrutinise political financing and assess whether INEC is effectively discharging its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.

The organisation expressed concern over the increasing monetisation of Nigerian elections, warning that excessive or undisclosed political financing could distort electoral competition.

SERAP said political parties, candidates and their supporters were already mobilising funds, organising political activities, purchasing media and digital advertising, holding rallies and incurring campaign-related expenses.

It therefore urged INEC to explain how it would monitor political financing during the campaign period and prevent individuals or groups from circumventing statutory limits through cash donations, digital advertising, consultants and third-party expenditure.

SERAP specifically cited Section 91(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which empowers INEC to limit the amount of money or assets an individual may contribute to a political party or candidate and to demand information on the amount donated and the source of the funds.

It said where INEC had exercised this power, Nigerians were entitled to know the applicable limits and how the commission intended to enforce them.

The organisation also referred to Section 226 of the 1999 Constitution, which requires INEC to prepare and submit annual reports to the National Assembly on the accounts and balance sheets of political parties.

SERAP said the commission is also empowered to conduct investigations and access party books, accounts and vouchers to determine whether proper financial records are being maintained.

The group further asked INEC to disclose its examination and audit reports, enforcement actions arising from political-finance violations and its 2027 political-finance monitoring plan.

It also requested the latest detailed statements of political parties’ assets, liabilities, sources of funds and expenditure, as well as annual statements, audited accounts and election expenditure returns for 2023 to 2025.

SERAP additionally asked INEC to disclose the parties that submitted reports of contributions received after the 2023 elections, the dates of submission and actions taken against parties that failed to meet the statutory deadline.

The organisation gave INEC seven days to provide the requested information, warning that it would take legal action if the commission failed to comply.

SERAP said transparency in political financing was crucial to protecting electoral integrity, equal political participation and citizens’ right to meaningfully participate in public affairs.