INEC sued Over Diversion of ₦800 Billion by APC Governors for Tinubu’s 2027 reelection Campaign
Crime/Social Justice
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to compel the electoral body to investigate allegations that All Progressives Congress (APC) governors diverted about ₦800 billion in public funds for political and campaign purposes.
The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed last week. SERAP is asking the court to issue orders of mandamus directing INEC to probe the claims, demand full disclosure from the governors and the APC, and review compliance with campaign finance rules under the Electoral Act.
According to reports cited by SERAP, APC governors have allegedly been making monthly contributions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations into a dedicated campaign fund to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
SERAP is seeking:
• An order compelling INEC to investigate the alleged diversion of ₦800 billion.
• An order directing INEC to request full disclosure from the governors and APC on contributions to any campaign fund, including donor names and the lawful sources of the funds.
• An order directing INEC to initiate a formal review and investigation into compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by all political parties and candidates, focusing on sources and scale of campaign financing.
The suit was filed on behalf of SERAP by lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi.
In court papers, SERAP argues that the allegations raise serious concerns about political finance transparency, electoral fairness, and Nigerians’ constitutional right to participate freely in government.
The group describes opaque political financing as “a major entry point for corruption and a threat to democratic legitimacy.”
“The allegations of diversion or opaque use of public funds—particularly on the scale reported—pose a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections,” the suit states.
SERAP emphasizes that large-scale public fiscal flows combined with weak oversight create risks of misuse of state resources for electoral advantage.
The organization cites Section 91 of the Electoral Act, which empowers INEC to set limits on political donations, demand disclosures, and impose sanctions. Violations by political parties can attract fines of up to ₦10 million plus forfeiture of excess amounts, while individuals face penalties of five times the excess contribution.
SERAP further references constitutional provisions (including Sections 14, 15, and 13), the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the UN Convention against Corruption, arguing that INEC has a duty to ensure transparency and prevent abuse of public resources.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
This development comes months after SERAP first wrote to INEC in May 2026 urging an investigation into the same allegations.
INEC is yet to issue a public response to the lawsuit.
The case is expected to draw significant attention as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, with campaign finance transparency remaining a recurring issue in the country’s democratic process.
