The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a suit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the electoral body to investigate allegations that some governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted about N800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations to finance political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the suit, SERAP is also seeking an order directing INEC to ensure full disclosure of the alleged campaign funds, including the identities of donors and the sources of the money, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the action followed what it described as INEC’s failure to investigate allegations that APC governors had been making monthly contributions from their FAAC allocations into a campaign fund allegedly linked to President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
According to the organisation, the allegations were based on media reports and a published opinion article, which raised concerns over the alleged diversion of public funds for political purposes.
SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling INEC to investigate the allegations and require the APC and the affected governors to disclose details of the alleged campaign fund, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the money.
The organisation is also seeking an order directing INEC to review compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act on political campaign financing and enforce relevant provisions where breaches are established.
SERAP argued that the allegations raise serious questions about transparency and accountability in political financing, warning that the use of public resources for campaign activities, if established, would undermine the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
The organisation maintained that opaque campaign financing encourages corruption and weakens public confidence in democratic institutions.
According to SERAP, the Electoral Act empowers INEC to regulate political donations, monitor campaign finances and ensure compliance with legal limits on political funding.
It further argued that where allegations involve the possible diversion of public funds for electoral purposes, the commission has a constitutional and statutory responsibility to exercise its investigative and regulatory powers.
SERAP urged the court to compel INEC to carry out its mandate in the interest of transparency, accountability and the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
