SERAP urges 2027 presidential candidates to declare assets, reject vote-buying

Crime Diary, News

LAGOS, Nigeria (NPA) — The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the 19 presidential candidates announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publicly disclose their assets and liabilities, as well as those of their spouses and, where applicable, unmarried children under 18, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

SERAP also called on the candidates to disclose the legitimate sources of their significant assets and publicly reject vote-buying and electoral bribery before and during the election.

In its call, the organisation urged the candidates to direct their political parties, campaign organisations, agents and supporters not to offer or distribute money, gifts or other material inducements in exchange for votes.

The presidential candidates listed by SERAP are President Bola Tinubu (APC), Atiku Abubakar (ADC), Peter Obi (NDC), Senator Sandy Onor (PDP), Omoyele Sowore (AAC), Donald Duke (PRP), Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick (NDP), Chukwu Anita Zugwai (YPP), Rufai Adekunle Omoaje (AA) and Adenuga Sunday (Boot Party).

Others are Memeh Samuel (DLA), Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu (ZLP), Okereke Sunday Chibuzor (LP), Okereke Iken Esther (NRM), Abbas-Bin Aliyu (ADP), Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed (NNPP), Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer (SDP), Seyi Makinde (APM) and Yusuf Kabiru (APP).

SERAP urged the candidates to go beyond the bare legal minimum by voluntarily embracing higher standards of transparency, accountability and integrity in their bid for Nigeria’s highest elected office.

The organisation argued that candidates seeking the enormous constitutional powers attached to the presidency, including authority over public finances, natural resources, appointments and security institutions, should be prepared to demonstrate that their personal financial affairs can withstand reasonable public scrutiny.

According to SERAP, voluntary disclosure before the election would enable voters to identify potential conflicts of interest and significant sources of wealth, strengthen confidence in the electoral process and establish a baseline for assessing changes in candidates’ assets if they are elected.

The organisation also stressed the need for candidates to publicly reject vote-buying and electoral bribery as part of efforts to strengthen the credibility of the 2027 election.

“Votes must not be bought. Public office must not be treated as private property. Those seeking the highest public office must be willing to meet the highest standards of transparency, accountability and integrity,” SERAP said.

It added that Nigerians should be able to choose their leaders based on policies, competence, integrity, character and vision, rather than on which candidate has the greatest financial resources to spend during the election.

SERAP said the demand for voluntary asset disclosure was aimed at giving voters more information with which to assess candidates before casting their ballots.

The organisation maintained that Nigeria’s democracy belongs to its citizens and that public office should be regarded as a public trust rather than an avenue for private enrichment.

It further urged the presidential candidates to use the 2027 election as an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to the principles of transparency and accountability they would be expected to uphold if elected.

According to SERAP, candidates who voluntarily disclose their assets and reject vote-buying would send a strong signal that they are prepared to uphold the standards of good governance they promise Nigerians.