Publish political donation limits for 2027 elections, SERAP tells INEC

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has intensified its advocacy for greater transparency in Nigeria's electoral financing, specifically targeting the 2027 general elections. The organization's demand to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) highlights a persistent challenge in Nigerian politics: the opaque nature of political contributions and campaign expenditures. With the election timetable already released, SERAP argues that immediate action is necessary to ensure a level playing field and prevent the distortion of electoral competition by illicit or excessive funding.

SERAP's Demand

SERAP's request, conveyed through its Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare to INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, is multifaceted. It urges INEC to disclose whether it has exercised its statutory power under Section 91 of the Electoral Act, 2026, to prescribe limits on political contributions. If such limits exist, SERAP demands their immediate publication and wide communication to all stakeholders, including political parties, candidates, donors, and the general public. Furthermore, the organization seeks details on the systems, personnel, and procedures INEC has established to monitor, investigate, and enforce compliance with these limits, particularly concerning cash, in-kind, digital, and social-media financing, as well as third-party expenditures and donations through intermediaries.

SERAP also requested the latest detailed statements from political parties regarding their assets, liabilities, sources of funds, and expenditures submitted to INEC. The organization specifically asked for the publication of parties' financial records, including annual statements, audited accounts, and election expenditure returns for 2023–2025. This also extends to INEC's examination and audit reports under Sections 225 and 226, and annual reports submitted to the National Assembly within the same period. These disclosures, SERAP contends, are vital for citizens to identify potential financial improprieties before they can influence election outcomes.

Electoral Act, 2026

The legal basis for SERAP's demand is firmly rooted in the Electoral Act, 2026. Section 91(1) of the Act explicitly grants INEC the power to place limitations on the amount of money or other assets an individual can contribute to a political party or candidate. It also empowers the commission to demand information on the amount and source of such funds. Crucially, Section 91(2) provides for sanctions against individuals, candidates, or political parties that exceed these prescribed limits. SERAP emphasizes that this statutory power is a critical safeguard against undue financial influence over political processes, designed to protect the integrity of democratic elections. The organization's push is for INEC to not only acknowledge this power but to actively implement and enforce it transparently.

Nigeria's Elections

The context of Nigeria's elections reveals a persistent problem of political parties failing to disclose campaign contributions, a non-compliance described as systemic. The article highlights that the absence of clear and effective sanctions for default has historically weakened INEC's enforcement capabilities. Nigeria has long grappled with significant challenges in regulating political finance, including concerns about excessive campaign spending, opaque funding sources, weak disclosure and reporting mechanisms, and limited enforcement of statutory spending and contribution rules. The increasing monetisation of elections, coupled with the potential misuse of state institutions, poses serious threats to democratic integrity and electoral competition. SERAP's intervention aims to address these systemic issues by advocating for proactive transparency and robust enforcement, thereby fostering a more equitable and credible electoral environment for the 2027 polls.