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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Professor Joash Amupitan, Chair of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), “to immediately disclose whether the Commission has exercised its legal powers to determine limits on political contributions under section 91 of the Electoral Act of 2026, and, if so, to publicize the applicable limits and communicate them widely to political parties, candidates, donors and the Nigerian public.”
SERAP urges INEC “to disclose the systems, personnel and procedures that have been implemented to monitor, investigate and enforce compliance with limits on political contributions and campaign expenditures during the ongoing 2027 election process.”
SERAP also urged INEC “to disclose its methodology for monitoring political funding, including arrangements for identifying and handling cash and in-kind contributions, digital and social media funding, third party expenditure, and donations through intermediaries that have the potential to circumvent statutory restrictions.”
In a Freedom of Information request dated August 22, 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said, “greater transparency in political funding is essential to ensure that the 2027 elections are conducted equally and that citizens can make free and informed political choices.”
SERAP said, “INEC’s constitutional responsibility is not simply to receive financial reports from political parties. The Constitution requires the Commission to examine the finances of political parties, conduct necessary investigations and report to the National Assembly.”
According to SERAP, “Publishing these reports will enable Nigerians to know whether these constitutional and statutory responsibilities have been implemented effectively.”
The statement reads in part: “Voters, journalists and civil society organizations cannot effectively scrutinize political funding if applicable limits are not easily accessible or if there are no publicly known mechanisms to monitor compliance.”
“The increasing monetization of elections in Nigeria, as well as the potential abuse of state institutions, poses a serious threat to democratic integrity and electoral competitiveness.”
“The requested information will allow the public to identify excessive, undisclosed, or potentially illicit political funding before it can distort electoral competition, rather than only after voting has taken place.”
“Effective political finance regulation is an important safeguard for constitutional democracy, equal political participation, freedom of expression and association, electoral integrity, and meaningful citizen participation in public affairs.”
“We would be grateful if the requested information is provided within 7 days of receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP will take all necessary legal action to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“Nigeria has a persistent problem of political parties not disclosing campaign contributions. This type of non-compliance has been described as systemic, while the absence of clear and effective sanctions for non-payment has undermined INEC’s ability to enforce compliance.”
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“Nigeria has long faced serious challenges in regulating political finance, including concerns about excessive campaign spending, unclear sources of political funding, weak disclosure and reporting, and limited enforcement of statutory spending and contribution regulations.”
“Previous assessments of Nigeria’s elections have identified significant gaps between the legal framework and its practical implementation, including concerns that spending limits are circumvented, political party spending is not adequately regulated or transparently disclosed, and violations are rarely identified and sanctioned effectively.”
“These concerns are particularly significant given the scale of campaign spending and changes in expenditure and contribution limits under Nigeria’s evolving laws and electoral framework.”
“It remains unclear whether INEC has established, clearly publicized and effectively monitored applicable contribution limits, and whether political parties and candidates can be held accountable for contributions and expenditures that exceed applicable limits or are intentionally concealed.”
“Transparency regarding the financial affairs of political parties is very important because political parties play an important role in implementing citizens’ constitutional rights to participate in public affairs and to form and become members of political associations.”
“Citizens cannot meaningfully exercise their political rights if undisclosed or excessive financial resources are allowed to interfere with the political process.”
“The information requested relates to the implementation of INEC’s constitutional and legal responsibilities, the funding of political parties and candidates, and the integrity of the electoral process.”
“Political parties, candidates, and their supporters are already mobilizing resources, soliciting donations, organizing political activities, purchasing digital media and advertising, holding rallies and other events, and incurring campaign-related expenses.”
“INEC must disclose how it intends to monitor political financing during the campaign period, including expenditures and contributions involving cash and in-kind contributions; digital and social media advertising; political consultants and campaign consultants; and third party campaign expenditures.”
“The existence of statutory limits on political contributions and election expenditures is intended not only to facilitate retrospective accounting after elections but to prevent excessive financial influence when political competition is ongoing.”
“Article 91(1) of the 2026 Election Law states that: ‘The Commission has the authority to limit the amount of money or other assets that a person can contribute to a political party or candidate and to request information regarding the amount of the donation and the source of the funds.’”
“Article 91(2) provides sanctions if an individual, candidate or political party exceeds the limits set by INEC. The legal powers granted to INEC create important safeguards against excessive financial influence over political parties and candidates.”
“If INEC has exercised its powers under section 91, Nigerians are entitled to know the applicable contribution limits and how the Commission intends to ensure compliance with those limits.”
“INEC should clarify whether it has determined contribution limits and, if so, promptly publish them in convenient and accessible locations, including on its website.”
“INEC should explain the methodology and criteria used in determining the threshold and whether the Commission has considered the need to prevent excessive financial influence, ensure fair electoral competition, address the risks of corruption and illicit political financing, and protect the integrity of the electoral process.”
“Article 226(1) of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) requires INEC to prepare and submit a report on the balance sheets and accounts of political parties to the National Assembly.”
“Article 226(2) requires INEC to carry out necessary investigations so that they can provide an opinion on whether proper books and records have been maintained by the political party.”
“Article 226(3) gives INEC and its authorized agents access to the books, accounts and vouchers of political parties and enables them to request information and explanations necessary to carry out this constitutional responsibility.”
“INEC has published the Notice of Election as well as the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 Election, which marks an important formal stage in the preparations for the election.”
“Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) guarantees the right of citizens to participate in public affairs and to vote and be elected in genuine periodic elections. Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Community Rights protects the right to receive information, while Article 13 guarantees the right to participate freely in the governance of a state.”
