The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has initiated legal action against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The lawsuit, designated as case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed following allegations that state governors elected under the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted N800 billion from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to fund political campaigns.

According to a statement issued by SERAP Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization claims that these governors have been making regular monthly deductions from public FAAC allocations. These funds were allegedly redirected into a dedicated campaign account intended to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. The legal application incorporates media reports and a published opinion commentary detailing the alleged misappropriation as supporting evidence.

Sought Legal Remedies

Through this lawsuit, represented by legal counsel Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi, SERAP is pursuing several distinct judicial orders:

• Mandatory Investigation: An order of mandamus compelling INEC to formally investigate the campaign funding allegations.

• Full Disclosure: An order directing INEC to demand comprehensive financial disclosures from the involved governors and the APC, specifically regarding the identities of donors and the legal origins of the campaign contributions.

• Regulatory Review: An order requiring INEC to launch an immediate review into how all political parties and candidates are complying with campaign finance regulations during the current election cycle.

Regulatory Framework and Arguments

SERAP argues that the unverified use of state resources for partisan political purposes poses a significant threat to the integrity of the 2027 general elections. The organization asserts that opaque political financing fosters corruption and undermines democratic legitimacy and electoral equity.

The lawsuit highlights that INEC possesses the clear statutory authority and obligation to regulate political donations under Section 91 of the Electoral Act. This legal framework mandates specific penalties for compliance failures:

• Party Penalties: Political entities that breach established donation thresholds face financial penalties up to ₦10,000,000 and the forfeiture of all excess funds.

• Individual Penalties: Individuals who exceed donation limits face criminal liability and fines equivalent to five times the excess amount contributed.

SERAP maintains that when public funds are reportedly utilized for political campaigns, INEC is legally obligated to exercise its constitutional monitoring and enforcement powers to preserve public trust in the democratic process.