The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the 19 presidential candidates listed by the Independent National Electoral Commission to make their financial declarations public before the 2027 election.
The organisation wants the candidates to disclose their assets and liabilities, as well as those of their spouses and, where applicable, unmarried children below the age of 18.
SERAP also asked the presidential contenders to explain the legitimate sources of their major assets and publicly distance themselves from vote-buying and other forms of electoral inducement.
The demand was contained in an open letter dated August 8, 2026, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
The candidates named in the group’s statement include President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party, Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress and Donald Duke of the Peoples Redemption Party.
Other candidates listed are Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick, Chukwu Anita Zugwai, Rufai Adekunle Omoaje, Adenuga Sunday, Memeh Samuel, Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu, Okereke Sunday Chibuzor, Okereke Iken Esther, Abbas-Bin Aliyu, Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed, Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer, Seyi Makinde and Yusuf Kabiru.
SERAP said those seeking the presidency should demonstrate a willingness to subject their financial dealings to public scrutiny instead of limiting themselves to the minimum legal requirements.
The organisation stated, “Candidates asking Nigerians to entrust them with enormous constitutional powers over public finances, natural resources, appointments and security institutions should be willing, before asking for their votes, to demonstrate that their personal financial affairs can withstand reasonable public scrutiny.”
It further argued that Nigerians deserve leaders who understand that political power is a public trust and should not be used for personal enrichment.
According to SERAP, “Nigeria’s democracy belongs to its citizens. Votes must not be bought. Public office must not be treated as private property. Those seeking the highest public office must be willing to meet the highest standards of transparency, accountability and integrity.”
The organisation maintained that voluntary asset disclosure would help voters assess the credibility and commitment to accountability of those seeking the nation’s highest political office.
It said, “The 2027 presidential election presents an opportunity for political leaders to show that public office is a public trust. Candidates who voluntarily disclose their assets and reject vote-buying can show that they are prepared to uphold the transparency and accountability they promise to deliver if elected.”
SERAP acknowledged that presidential candidates are not expressly required by the Constitution to publicly release their asset declarations before an election.
However, it pointed to constitutional provisions requiring elected public officers to declare their assets and liabilities.
The group also referenced Paragraph 11 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule, which requires public officers to declare their properties, assets and liabilities, including those of unmarried children under 18.
It added that Section 140(1) requires a President-elect to submit the required declaration before assuming office.
On electoral inducement, SERAP expressed concern over the continued use of money, gifts and other benefits to influence voters.
It stated, “We are also concerned about the persistent use of money, gifts and other inducements to influence voters. Vote-buying directly undermines the constitutional principle that sovereignty belongs to the people.”
The organisation cited Section 14(2)(a) of the Constitution on the sovereignty of the Nigerian people and Section 125 of the Electoral Act 2026, which it said prohibits bribery and related practices intended to influence electoral outcomes.
