The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged failure to investigate claims that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted ₦800 billion from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds 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.
The organisation said the action followed media reports alleging 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.
Citing the reports, SERAP said: “APC governors are allegedly making monthly contributions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations to a dedicated campaign fund to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.”
The group attached a Premium Times opinion article by columnist Festus Adedayo, published on May 17, 2026, as Exhibit A3 in support of its application.
The article referenced allegations that about ₦800 billion had been set aside for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign and claimed the funds were misappropriated. It also alleged that APC governors were making monthly deductions from their FAAC allocations into the campaign fund.
SERAP is seeking an order of mandamus compelling INEC to investigate the allegations.
The organisation is also asking the court to compel the electoral commission to demand full disclosure from the governors and APC regarding the alleged contributions, including the identities of donors and the lawful sources of the funds.
It further wants INEC to conduct a formal review of compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by political parties and candidates, particularly concerning the sources and scale of political and campaign financing during the current electoral cycle.
SERAP argued that the allegations raise concerns about transparency in political financing, electoral fairness and Nigerians’ constitutional right to participate freely in government.
It said opaque campaign financing remained a major channel for corruption and could undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
The suit, filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Kehinde Oyewumi, argued that the alleged diversion or undisclosed use of public funds posed “a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections.”
According to the organisation, the size of public financial allocations involved and existing transparency gaps provide grounds for INEC to exercise its constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
SERAP maintained that the Electoral Act empowers INEC to regulate political donations, demand disclosure of contributions and their sources, and impose sanctions for violations.
It cited Section 91 of the Electoral Act, which provides limits on political donations and penalties for breaches, including fines, forfeiture of excess funds and other sanctions against individuals, candidates and political parties who exceed prescribed limits.
The organisation argued that where allegations involve the possible use of public funds for political purposes, INEC has a duty to deploy its investigative and monitoring powers under the Constitution and electoral laws.
SERAP further claimed that failure by INEC to enforce campaign finance rules could weaken public trust in the electoral process and affect citizens’ right to participate in governance.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
