By Sandra Kenneth
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has instituted a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over its alleged failure to publish contribution limits and regulatory frameworks for political donations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2114/2026 and filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeks an order compelling INEC to declare whether it has established statutory limits on political contributions pursuant to Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2026.
SERAP is requesting that the court direct the electoral body to publicly publish any set limits, outline its enforcement mechanisms, and disclose the systems put in place to monitor campaign spending, digital advertising, and third-party political financing.
The rights group argued that the lack of public disclosure leaves political parties, candidates, donors, and voters without clear guidelines at a time when fundraising and campaign expenditures for the 2027 elections have already commenced.
“Greater transparency in political financing is essential to ensuring that the 2027 elections are conducted on a level playing field and that citizens are able to make free and informed political choices,” SERAP stated in its court filings.
Furthermore, relying on Sections 225 and 226 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), SERAP is asking the court to order INEC to release all audited accounts, financial statements, sources of funds, assets, and election expenditure returns submitted by political parties between 2023 and 2025. It also demands the publication of INEC’s audit reports submitted to the National Assembly and details of sanctions meted out for past political finance infractions.
The suit was filed by SERAP’s legal team, comprising Oluwakemi Agunbiade, Kehinde Oyewumi, Andrew Nwankwo, and Valentina Adegoke.
A date for the hearing of the suit is yet to be scheduled by the court.
