The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disclose and publish the limits on political donations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
SERAP made the demand in a statement issued on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.
The organisation said the request had become necessary as political parties, candidates and their supporters intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.
It urged INEC to clarify whether it had exercised its statutory powers under Section 91 of the Electoral Act, 2026, to prescribe limits on the amount individuals can contribute to political parties or candidates.
SERAP said that if INEC had already prescribed the limits, the commission should immediately publish and widely communicate them to political parties, candidates, donors and the general public.
The organisation also called on the electoral body to disclose the mechanisms, personnel and procedures it had established to monitor, investigate and enforce compliance with political contribution and campaign expenditure limits.
It specifically asked INEC to explain how it would monitor cash and in-kind donations, digital and social media financing, third-party expenditure and contributions made through intermediaries that could be used to circumvent statutory limits.
According to SERAP, greater transparency in political financing is essential to ensuring a level playing field and enabling voters to make free and informed choices during the elections.
The organisation noted that INEC’s constitutional responsibilities extend beyond receiving financial statements from political parties, stressing that the commission is empowered to examine party finances, conduct investigations and report its findings to the National Assembly.
SERAP further urged INEC to publish political parties’ latest financial records, including statements of assets and liabilities, sources of funds, audited accounts and election expenditure returns for 2023 to 2025.
It also requested the publication of INEC’s examination and audit reports under Sections 225 and 226 of the Constitution, as well as annual reports submitted to the National Assembly during the period.
SERAP expressed concern over what it described as persistent opacity in Nigeria’s political financing system, including excessive campaign spending, undisclosed sources of funds and weak enforcement of existing rules.
It cited Section 91(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which empowers INEC to limit the amount of money or other assets an individual may contribute to a political party or candidate and to demand information on the amount donated and the source of the funds.
The organisation said enforcing the provision would help prevent excessive financial influence over political parties and candidates and strengthen the integrity of the 2027 electoral process.
SERAP urged INEC to make any applicable contribution limits immediately available on its website and other prominent public platforms.
The group said political actors were already mobilising funds, soliciting contributions, organising rallies and political activities, and purchasing traditional and digital media advertisements ahead of the elections.
It therefore urged the electoral commission to demonstrate how it would monitor political financing throughout the campaign period and ensure compliance with the law.
The demand comes as INEC continues preparations for the 2027 general elections, following the release of the Notice of Election and the timetable and schedule of activities for the polls.
