SERAP drags INEC to court over alleged N800bn FAAC diversion for 2027 campaign

● Rights group wants commission to probe APC governors over campaign fund claims

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has sued the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over what it describes as a failure to investigate allegations that APC governors diverted N800 billion from FAAC allocations to fund President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

The suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

—What SERAP is asking for—

In the suit filed by lawyers *Kolawole Oluwadare* and *Kehinde Oyewumi*, SERAP is seeking:

*An order of mandamus* to compel INEC to investigate the allegations that governors of the All Progressives Congress diverted N800 billion from monthly FAAC allocations into a dedicated campaign fund.

According to reports cited in the suit, the alleged contributions are being pooled to support President Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027.

—“A grave risk to the 2027 elections”–

SERAP argues that the claims, if true, threaten the credibility of the next general elections.

“The allegations of diversion or opaque use of public funds pose a grave risk to the integrity of the 2027 general elections,” the suit reads.

It stated further: “Large-scale public fiscal flows, coupled with weak transparency and oversight mechanisms, provide a compelling basis for INEC to activate its constitutional and statutory mandates.”

The group says Nigeria’s political finance system is already marked by “limited transparency, inadequate disclosure, and weak enforcement,” creating room for public resources to be misused for political purposes.

—The legal basis—

SERAP hinged its demand on Section 91 of the Electoral Act, which empowers INEC to:

1. Set limits on political donations to parties and candidates

2. Demand disclosure of contributions and sources of funds

3. Enforce sanctions for violations

Under Section 91:

– Political parties that exceed donation limits face up to ₦10,000,000 fine and forfeiture of the excess amount

– Individuals face a penalty of five times the amount donated in excess of the legal limit

SERAP also cited constitutional provisions:

– Section 14(2)(c): Government must ensure citizens’ participation
– Section 15(5): Public institutions must abolish corrupt practices
– Section 13: INEC must observe Chapter 2 of the Constitution

And international obligations under the African Charter, ICCPR Article 25, and the UN Convention against Corruption Articles 5, 7(3) and 9, which require political finance transparency.

“Where public resources are allegedly diverted or deployed for political and campaign purposes, the result is not merely financial impropriety—it is a direct distortion of electoral competition,” SERAP stated.

It added: “Such actions undermine the principle of a level playing field and erode the ability of citizens to freely choose their representatives.”

—INEC under pressure—

SERAP accused INEC of failing to “proactively enforce” provisions of the Constitution and Electoral Act regarding political finance, a failure it says “undermines public trust in electoral institutions.”

The group insists that where there are allegations that state-derived funds are influencing politics outside lawful channels, it falls “squarely within the preventive and investigative mandate of the Commission.”

No date has yet been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

—Background—

The case comes amid heightened political activity ahead of 2027. INEC itself recently insisted on a July 11 deadline for parties to submit candidates for 2027 elections, signaling that preparations are already underway.