The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate allegations that about N800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations was diverted by governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for political and campaign purposes. The group claimed that the allegations pose “a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections” if they are left unchecked.
SERAP in its 12 July report said it filed the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, last week. It wants the court to order INEC to investigate the allegations, obtain full disclosure from the APC and the governors on any campaign fund, identify those who contributed, and establish the lawful source of the money.
The legal action follows reports alleging that APC governors have been making monthly contributions from their FAAC allocations into a dedicated campaign fund to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid. The allegations have not been determined by any court.
SERAP told the court that the reported diversion or opaque use of public funds could damage public confidence in the electoral process and affect the credibility of the 2027 general election.
The organisation argued that “the allegations of diversion or opaque use of public funds pose a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.”
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It said large public financial allocations, combined with weak transparency and oversight, make it necessary for INEC to activate its constitutional and legal powers to monitor and investigate political funding.
SERAP maintained that public money must not be used to give any political party or candidate an unfair advantage.
It also argued that citizens have the right to know who finances political parties and candidates and whether such funding complies with Nigerian law.
The organisation is asking the court to direct INEC to begin a formal review of compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act, particularly on the sources and scale of campaign financing in the current political cycle.
SERAP noted that political funding in Nigeria suffers from poor transparency and weak enforcement, creating opportunities for public resources to be used for political activities without proper scrutiny.
The group relied on Section 91 of the Electoral Act, which empowers INEC to regulate political donations, demand disclosure of funding sources and enforce sanctions where the law is breached.
Under the law, political parties that receive donations above approved limits may be fined up to N10 million and forfeit the excess amount. Individuals who exceed the donation limit may be fined up to five times the amount contributed above the legal limit.
SERAP argued that where allegations involve public funds on the reported scale, INEC has both preventive and investigative responsibilities.
The organisation told the court that the commission has continued to fail to enforce constitutional and electoral provisions dealing with political finance, a situation it said weakens public trust in electoral institutions.
SERAP also relied on the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Convention against Corruption.
It claimed that these laws require public institutions to prevent abuse of public resources, promote accountability and ensure transparency in campaign financing.
The organisation explained that any use of public money for political advantage would distort electoral competition and deny Nigerians a fair opportunity to choose their leaders freely.
SERAP therefore asked the court to compel INEC to investigate the allegations, obtain full disclosure of any campaign fund linked to the reported contributions, and enforce campaign finance rules before activities leading to the 2027 general election gather pace.