By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to account for more than N126.46 billion in public funds allegedly diverted, mismanaged, lost or otherwise unaccounted for in the conduct and administration of elections.
SERAP said the demand followed findings contained in the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on August 7, 2026.
According to the organisation, the audit findings covered financial activities between January and December 2022 and, in some cases, extended to December 31, 2023.
SERAP said the funds were appropriated for several electoral operations, including the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices and materials, sensitive election materials, result sheets, vehicles, accreditation devices, audit and consultancy services, digital archiving and other goods and services.
In a statement, the organisation urged INEC, under the leadership of Professor Joash Amupitan, to provide a detailed account of how the funds were spent and identify the beneficiaries of the payments.
It also demanded information on the contracts awarded, procurement processes followed, contractors, suppliers and consultants involved, as well as evidence showing the delivery, utilisation and current status of the goods, services and electoral assets purchased with the funds.
SERAP further called on INEC to refer the alleged financial irregularities, unlawful expenditure, procurement violations and other misconduct documented by the Auditor-General to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The organisation said the agencies should investigate the allegations, prosecute individuals found culpable and recover any public funds established to have been unlawfully or irregularly paid.
SERAP also urged INEC to identify the public officials, contractors, companies, suppliers and consultants responsible for the alleged infractions and take immediate steps to recover funds linked to goods and services that were either not supplied, improperly utilised or paid for irregularly.
The organisation stressed that electoral funds are public resources and must be subjected to transparency and accountability.
“INEC must be able to account for every naira, demonstrate that it was lawfully spent and show that it served the purposes for which it was appropriated,” SERAP said.
The seven day demand comes as scrutiny of the management of electoral resources intensifies ahead of future elections, with accountability over public funds expected to remain a major test for the electoral body and other institutions involved in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Leave a Reply