The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has given the Independent National Electoral Commission seven days to address alleged irregularities involving more than N126.46 billion in electoral expenditure, threatening legal action if the commission fails to respond.
SERAP based its demands on findings it said were contained in the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published in August 2026.
In a letter dated September 12 and signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation called on INEC to explain expenditure identified in the audit and provide evidence that goods and services for which payments were made were actually supplied.
Importantly, SERAP’s claims should not be treated as proof that the money was stolen or diverted. They are demands for accountability based on audit findings, and INEC’s response will be essential in establishing the full circumstances.
N112bn Payment Comes Under Spotlight
Among the issues raised, SERAP asked INEC to produce documentary and physical evidence concerning approximately N112 billion described as irregularly paid for electoral materials.
The organisation wants the commission to establish whether the materials were actually procured and account for their location and condition.
SERAP also wants investigations into whether payments matched goods and services delivered and whether contracts were improperly divided to avoid procurement requirements.
It called for any funds found to have been improperly paid to be recovered and for officials or contractors established through investigation to have violated the law to face appropriate sanctions.
Timing Puts Pressure on Electoral Commission
The demand comes at a particularly sensitive moment.
INEC has just released the final presidential candidate list and is proceeding with preparations for the January 16, 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
Questions about financial accountability therefore carry political consequences extending beyond bookkeeping.
INEC requires significant public resources to organise elections across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Those funds cover sensitive and non-sensitive election materials, logistics, technology, personnel and numerous other operational requirements.
Any credible questions about how previous election funding was managed can consequently affect confidence in the institution ahead of another national vote.
Transparency Becomes Part of Election Credibility
Electoral credibility is normally discussed in terms of voter accreditation, result transmission, security and collation.
Financial accountability is another part of the equation.
A commission responsible for administering democratic elections must also demonstrate that the public money allocated to those elections is managed transparently.
SERAP’s seven-day ultimatum puts the next move firmly with INEC.
A detailed response explaining the audit findings, supporting documentation and any remedial actions would provide greater clarity.
Without that, the controversy risks becoming another political issue during an already heated campaign season.
For Nigerians preparing to vote in January, the central question is straightforward: the institution asking citizens to trust the electoral process must also demonstrate why citizens should trust the way it manages election resources.
