The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to publish detailed financial records of Nigeria’s political parties, including their sources of funds, expenditure and election-related financial returns between 2023 and 2025.
SERAP, in its latest demand to the electoral commission, said Nigerians have a right to know how political parties raise and spend money, as well as the measures being taken by INEC to enforce the country’s political-finance laws.
The organisation specifically drew attention to Section 91 of the Electoral Act, stressing that where INEC has exercised its powers under the provision, Nigerians should be informed about the applicable contribution limits and how the commission intends to monitor and enforce compliance.
SERAP also invoked Sections 226(1), 226(2) and 226(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which place responsibilities on INEC concerning the examination of political parties’ accounts and financial records.
The rights organisation is demanding that INEC publish the latest detailed statements submitted by political parties showing their assets and liabilities, sources of funds and other assets, as well as their expenditure.
It further wants the commission to make public the political parties’ financial records for 2023 to 2025, including annual financial statements, audited accounts and election expenditure returns.
SERAP also demanded the publication of INEC’s examination and audit reports conducted under Sections 225 and 226 of the Constitution.
According to the organisation, the requested documents should include annual reports submitted by INEC to the National Assembly between 2023 and 2025.
Beyond disclosure, SERAP is also seeking information on enforcement measures taken against political parties found to have breached laws governing political financing and election expenditure.
The organisation’s demand comes amid persistent public concern over the financing of political parties and election campaigns in Nigeria, particularly questions surrounding the sources of funds available to political actors and the extent to which existing spending and contribution limits are being enforced.
SERAP argued that transparency in political-party financing is essential to accountability and public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
It therefore warned INEC that failure to provide the requested information within seven days could trigger legal action.
“We would be grateful if the requested information is provided within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter,” SERAP said.
The organisation added that if INEC failed to respond within the stipulated period, it would “take all appropriate legal actions” to compel the commission to comply with the request in the public interest.
The seven-day ultimatum now puts the electoral commission under pressure to explain what financial information it holds on political parties, what has been examined or audited, and what sanctions or other enforcement measures have been taken over alleged violations of political-finance and expenditure rules.
At the heart of SERAP’s demand is the broader question of whether Nigeria’s political-finance laws are being effectively enforced and whether citizens can independently scrutinise the flow of money into the country’s political system.
For SERAP, the publication of the records would allow Nigerians to examine how political parties are funded, how much they spend during elections and whether the financial activities of parties comply with constitutional and electoral requirements.