The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeking a court order compelling the electoral body to investigate allegations that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted about N800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations for political and campaign purposes.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to reports cited by SERAP, APC governors allegedly make monthly contributions from their FAAC allocations into a dedicated campaign fund to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the suit, SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus directing INEC to investigate the allegations and compel the commission to request full disclosure from the APC and the affected governors on the alleged campaign fund, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds.
The organisation is also seeking an order directing INEC to commence a formal review into the compliance of political parties and candidates with Section 91 of the Electoral Act, particularly regarding campaign financing, donation limits and the sources of political funding.
SERAP argued that the allegations raise serious concerns about political finance transparency, electoral fairness and Nigerians’ constitutional right to participate freely in governance.
The lawsuit stated that the reported diversion of public funds poses a significant risk to the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
SERAP maintained that large public financial allocations, combined with weak transparency and oversight mechanisms, provide sufficient grounds for INEC to exercise its constitutional and statutory powers to investigate and monitor political financing.
The organisation further argued that Section 91 of the Electoral Act empowers INEC to regulate political donations, require disclosure of contributions and their sources, and impose sanctions where donation limits are exceeded.
It noted that the law prescribes penalties for violations, including fines of up to N10 million for political parties, forfeiture of excess donations, and fines equivalent to five times the amount contributed above the legal limit for individuals.
According to the organisation, any alleged deployment of public funds for electoral advantage would undermine the principle of a level playing field, distort electoral competition and erode citizens’ confidence in the democratic process.
SERAP further argued that INEC has a constitutional duty to enforce campaign finance regulations and ensure that political parties and candidates comply with prescribed contribution limits and disclosure requirements.
However, no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.