By Taiwo Scholarstica
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the electoral body of failing to investigate allegations that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted about N800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations for political and campaign activities.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The organisation said the legal action followed media reports alleging that governors elected under the APC had been making monthly contributions from their FAAC allocations into a campaign fund in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
It stated, “APC governors are allegedly making monthly contributions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations to a dedicated campaign fund to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.”
As part of its application, SERAP attached a Premium Times opinion article written by columnist Festus Adedayo and published on May 17, 2026, as Exhibit A3. The article referred to allegations that about N800 billion reportedly earmarked for President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign had been misappropriated. It also claimed that APC governors were making monthly deductions from their FAAC allocations into a campaign fund.
In the suit, SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling INEC to investigate the allegations.
The organisation is also seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to request full disclosure from the governors and APC regarding the alleged contributions made to any dedicated campaign fund, including the names of donors and the lawful origin of funds.”
It further asked the court to grant “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to promptly initiate a formal review and investigation into compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by all political parties and candidates, particularly in relation to the sources and scale of political or campaign financing in the current political cycle.”
SERAP argued that the allegations raise serious concerns about transparency in political financing, the fairness of elections and the constitutional right of Nigerians to participate freely in the country’s democratic process.
The group maintained that a lack of transparency in campaign financing continues to fuel corruption and weakens democratic accountability.
Filed by SERAP’s lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi, the suit further argued that the alleged diversion or non-transparent use of public funds poses “a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.”
According to the organisation, the scale of public funds involved and existing gaps in transparency and oversight provide enough basis for INEC to exercise its constitutional and statutory powers.
SERAP also argued that the Electoral Act empowers the commission to regulate political donations, demand disclosure of campaign contributions and their sources, and impose sanctions where breaches occur.
“Section 91 establishes that any political party that exceeds the prescribed donation limit is liable to a fine of up to ₦10,000,000, plus forfeiture of the excess amount. It provides that any individual who exceeds the donation limit commits an offence and is liable to a fine equal to five times the amount donated in excess of the legal limit.
“Section 91(2) of the Electoral Act provides that any individual, candidate, or political party that exceeds the donation limits set by INEC commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to sanctions.
“For political parties, this includes a fine of up to ₦10,000,000 and forfeiture of any amount received above the prescribed limit, while individuals are liable to a penalty of five times the amount contributed in excess of the allowable limit.
“Exceeding donation limits attracts sanctions, including fines, forfeiture of excess funds, and penalties of up to five times the amount contributed in excess for individuals,” it said.
SERAP maintained that where allegations involve the possible use of state-derived or publicly controlled funds for political activities, the electoral commission has a duty to exercise its investigative and monitoring powers under the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
The organisation added that INEC’s alleged failure to proactively enforce campaign finance provisions undermines public confidence in the electoral process and Nigerians’ right to participate in government.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.