The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the limits on political donations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation made the demand on Sunday in a statement signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and addressed to the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.
SERAP wants INEC to clarify whether it has used its powers under the Electoral Act 2026 to set the maximum amount individuals can donate to political parties and candidates. If such limits have been fixed, the group wants the commission to make them public and ensure that political parties, candidates, donors and voters can easily access the information.
The call comes as political parties and candidates prepare for the 2027 elections, with campaigns and other political activities already beginning to take shape.
SERAP also asked INEC to explain how it plans to track political donations and campaign spending during the election period. It wants the commission to provide details of the systems, staff and procedures being used to detect breaches and enforce the rules.
The organisation specifically wants INEC to explain how it will monitor different forms of political funding, including cash donations, non-cash support, online and social media advertising, payments made through political consultants and spending by third parties.
SERAP said clear information on political financing would help reduce the influence of excessive money on elections and give voters a better understanding of how political parties and candidates are funded.
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The group also called on INEC to make public the financial records submitted by political parties. These include details of their assets, liabilities, sources of funds, spending records, audited accounts and election expenditure returns covering the 2023 to 2025 period.
It further asked the commission to release its examination and audit reports on political parties, as well as annual reports submitted to the National Assembly during the same period.
According to SERAP, Nigeria has continued to face problems with the disclosure and monitoring of campaign finances. The organisation said weak reporting systems, unclear enforcement and concerns over excessive campaign spending could affect fair competition among political parties and candidates.
The group pointed to Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2026, which gives INEC the authority to set limits on the amount individuals may contribute to political parties or candidates. The law also allows the commission to request information on donations and the sources of funds and provides sanctions for breaches of the prescribed limits.
SERAP therefore wants INEC to state clearly whether it has exercised this authority ahead of the 2027 polls. If the limits have been set, the organisation wants them published prominently, including on the commission’s official website.
The group also wants INEC to show Nigerians how it intends to prevent individuals or organisations from using intermediaries, undisclosed funding or other methods to avoid political finance rules.
SERAP said early disclosure and proper monitoring of campaign funding would allow possible violations to be detected before they affect the electoral process. It added that stronger transparency in political financing would help promote a more open and competitive election in 2027.
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