SERAP sues INEC over alleged N800bn diversion of FAAC funds for APC campaign

Crime Diary

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — 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 ₦800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations for political and campaign purposes.

The suit follows media reports alleging that APC governors have been making monthly deductions 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, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026 and filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to compel INEC to investigate the allegations and enforce the campaign finance provisions of the Electoral Act.

Specifically, the organisation is seeking an order of mandamus directing INEC to investigate the alleged diversion of public funds and to require the APC and the affected governors to disclose details of any campaign contributions, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds.

SERAP is also asking the court to order INEC to commence a formal review of political financing by all political parties and candidates to determine compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act, particularly regarding campaign donations and funding sources.

In the suit, filed by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi, SERAP argued that the allegations raise serious concerns about political finance transparency, electoral fairness and the constitutional rights of Nigerians to participate freely in the democratic process.

According to the organisation, opaque political financing remains a major avenue for corruption and threatens the credibility of elections.

“These allegations raise serious concerns about political finance transparency, electoral fairness and the constitutional right of Nigerians to participate freely in their own government,” SERAP said.

The organisation argued that the alleged diversion or opaque use of public funds poses a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.

It maintained that large public financial flows, coupled with weak transparency and oversight mechanisms, provide sufficient grounds for INEC to activate its constitutional and statutory investigative powers.

SERAP further contended that Section 91 of the Electoral Act empowers INEC to regulate political donations, require disclosure of campaign contributions, enforce spending limits and impose sanctions where violations occur.

According to the organisation, political parties that exceed prescribed donation limits are liable to fines of up to ₦10 million, in addition to forfeiture of excess funds, while individuals who exceed donation limits may be fined up to five times the excess contribution.

The suit also argued that the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and international anti-corruption and human rights instruments prohibit the misuse of public resources for political advantage.

SERAP cited Nigeria’s obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the United Nations Convention against Corruption, all of which require transparency, accountability and fairness in political financing.

According to the organisation, any diversion of public funds for campaign purposes would distort electoral competition, undermine democratic integrity and erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.

SERAP maintained that INEC has a constitutional responsibility to investigate allegations capable of compromising electoral credibility and ensure full compliance with campaign finance laws.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.