morganable politics/elections
SERAP also urged INEC to reveal the mechanisms it has put in place to monitor, investigate and enforce compliance with political financing regulations.
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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to urgently disclose and publish political contribution limits as stipulated under the Electoral Act, 2026, ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged the electoral body to clarify whether it had exercised its statutory powers to set limits on political donations and, if so, to make such limits publicly available to ensure transparency in the electoral process.
The request comes amid growing concerns over the increasing monetisation of politics in Nigeria, which observers say could undermine democratic integrity if not effectively regulated.
SERAP noted that INEC had already released the Notice of Election as well as the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 polls, making it imperative for the commission to provide clarity on campaign financing rules.
According to the organisation, “INEC should urgently disclose whether the Commission has exercised its statutory power to prescribe limits on political contributions under Section 91 of the Electoral Act, 2026, and, if so, publish the applicable limits and widely communicate them to political parties, candidates, donors and the Nigerian public.”
SERAP also urged INEC to reveal the mechanisms it has put in place to monitor, investigate and enforce compliance with political financing regulations.
This includes systems for tracking cash and in-kind contributions, digital and social media funding, as well as third-party expenditures and donations routed through intermediaries.
SERAP Urges Transparency
The organisation stressed that transparency in political financing is critical to ensuring a level playing field for all contestants and enabling voters to make informed choices.
It argued that the lack of clear and accessible information about campaign financing could allow undue financial influence to distort electoral outcomes.
“INEC’s constitutional responsibility is not simply to receive financial statements from political parties,” the statement read.
“The Constitution requires the Commission to examine political party finances, conduct necessary investigations and report to the National Assembly. Publishing these reports would enable Nigerians to know whether these constitutional and statutory responsibilities have been effectively discharged.”
SERAP further expressed concern over what it described as systemic non-compliance by political parties in disclosing campaign contributions. It noted that weak enforcement of existing laws and the absence of effective sanctions have contributed to the persistence of opaque political financing practices.
SERAP Cites Electoral Act 2026
The group cited Sections 225 and 226 of the Constitution, which empower INEC to audit and examine the accounts of political parties, as well as Section 91 of the Electoral Act, 2026, which authorises the commission to set limits on individual contributions and demand disclosure of funding sources.
Section 91(1) of the Act provides that INEC “shall have power to place limitation on the amount of money or other assets which an individual can contribute to a political party or candidate and to demand such information on the amount donated and source of the funds.” Subsection (2) outlines sanctions for individuals, candidates or political parties that exceed prescribed limits.
SERAP maintained that these provisions are essential safeguards against excessive financial influence and must be effectively implemented to preserve the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system.
The organisation also requested that INEC publish detailed financial statements submitted by political parties, including records of assets and liabilities, sources of funding, and expenditure for the period spanning 2023 to 2025. It further asked the commission to make available its audit and examination reports, as well as annual reports submitted to the National Assembly within the same timeframe.
“Political parties, candidates and their supporters are already mobilising resources, soliciting contributions, organising political activities, purchasing media and digital advertising, holding rallies and incurring campaign-related expenditure,” SERAP noted.
“It is therefore crucial for INEC to disclose how it intends to monitor political financing during the campaign period.”
APC Chairman Cautions Against Divisive Politics
In a related development, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has cautioned politicians and their supporters against allowing political contests to divide the country as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
In a statement issued as part of his Eid-ul-Mawlid message, Yilwatda emphasised the need for unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, urging Nigerians to draw lessons from the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad.
“At this challenging moment in our national journey, these values offer us a pathway to healing, unity and renewed hope,” he said.
Yilwatda stressed that political differences are temporary and should not undermine the bonds of brotherhood and national unity.
He called on citizens to resist attempts to exploit ethnic, religious or political differences for personal or partisan gain.
“No political contest should destroy the bonds of brotherhood and national unity that bind us together,” he said, warning against violence and intolerance in the lead-up to the elections.
He also encouraged Nigerians, particularly the Muslim faithful, to use the occasion of Eid-ul-Mawlid to pray for peace, security and prosperity in the country, as well as wisdom for its leaders.
Despite the challenges facing the nation, the APC chairman expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, describing it as a country endowed with immense talent and resilience.
The developments underscore the growing attention being paid to both the integrity and the tone of the upcoming 2027 elections. While SERAP’s call highlights the need for transparency and accountability in political financing, Yilwatda’s message underscores the importance of unity and peaceful engagement in the democratic process.
