The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeking an investigation into allegations that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted N800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations for political and campaign activities.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the organisation, media reports alleged that APC governors were making monthly contributions from their FAAC allocations into a dedicated campaign fund to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
SERAP referenced a May 17, 2026 opinion article by columnist Festus Adedayo, which claimed that about N800 billion earmarked for the President’s re-election campaign had been misappropriated. The article also alleged that governors elected on the APC platform were making monthly deductions from their FAAC allocations into the campaign fund.
The organisation is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus directing INEC to investigate the allegations.
It also seeks an order compelling the electoral commission to demand full disclosure from the governors and the APC regarding the alleged contributions, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds.
In addition, SERAP wants the court to direct INEC to begin a formal review of compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by all political parties and candidates, particularly concerning the sources and scale of campaign financing in the current political cycle.
The organisation argued that the allegations raise serious concerns about transparency in political financing, electoral integrity and Nigerians’ constitutional right to participate in democratic governance.
According to SERAP, opaque campaign financing remains a significant avenue for corruption and poses a threat to democratic accountability.
The suit, filed by lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi on behalf of SERAP, argued that the alleged diversion or non-transparent use of public funds represents “a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.”
The organisation maintained that the Electoral Act empowers INEC to regulate political donations, demand disclosure of campaign contributions and enforce penalties for violations.
“Section 91 of the Electoral Act empowers and requires INEC to set limits on political donations that individuals or entities can make to political parties or candidates and demand disclosure of contributions and sources of funds, and enforce sanctions against violations.
“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,” the organisation said.
SERAP further argued that where allegations involve the possible use of public funds for political purposes, INEC has a constitutional and statutory obligation to exercise its investigative and monitoring powers.
It added that the commission’s alleged failure to proactively enforce campaign finance regulations undermines public confidence in the electoral process and Nigerians’ right to freely participate in governance.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.