Publish political donation limits for 2027 elections, SERAP tells INEC

n n

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to disclose and publish political contribution limits prescribed under the Electoral Act, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

n

SERAP made the demand in a statement signed and released by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, addressed to the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, on Sunday.

n

The organisation said the demand was particularly important ahead of the 2027 elections, noting that INEC had already released the Notice of Election and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the polls.

n

The organisation urged INEC “to urgently disclose whether the Commission has exercised its statutory power to prescribe limits on political contributions under section 91 of the Electoral Act, 2026, and, if so, to publish the applicable limits and widely communicate them to political parties, candidates, donors and the Nigerian public.”

n

SERAP also asked the electoral commission to disclose the systems, personnel and procedures it had put in place to monitor, investigate and enforce compliance with political contribution and campaign expenditure limits during the ongoing preparations for the 2027 elections.

n

It further urged INEC to disclose its methodology for monitoring political financing, including arrangements for identifying and addressing cash and in-kind contributions, digital and social-media financing, third-party expenditure and donations through intermediaries that could potentially circumvent statutory limits.

n

SERAP said greater transparency was necessary to ensure that the 2027 elections were conducted on a level playing field and that voters were able to make free and informed political choices.

n

In the request, the organisation said, “INEC’s constitutional responsibility is not simply to receive financial statements from political parties. The Constitution requires the Commission to examine political-party finances, conduct necessary investigations and report to the National Assembly. Publishing these reports would enable Nigerians to know whether these constitutional and statutory responsibilities have been effectively discharged.

n

“The increasing monetisation of Nigeria’s elections, alongside the potential misuse of state institutions, poses serious threats to democratic integrity and electoral competition. The information requested would enable citizens to identify excessive, undisclosed or potentially illicit political financing before it can distort electoral competition, rather than only after votes have been cast.”

n

It said political parties, candidates and their supporters were already mobilising resources, soliciting contributions, organising political activities, purchasing media and digital advertising, holding rallies and incurring campaign-related expenditure.

n

SERAP therefore urged INEC to disclose how it intended to monitor political financing during the campaign period, particularly contributions and expenditure involving cash and in-kind contributions, digital and social-media advertising, political consultants and third-party campaign expenditure.

n

The organisation also cited Section 91(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, which provides that: “The Commission shall have power to place limitation on the amount of money or other assets which an individual can contribute to a political party or candidate and to demand such information on the amount donated and source of the funds. Section 91(2) provides sanctions where an individual, candidate or political party exceeds the applicable limit prescribed by INEC. The statutory power given to INEC creates an important safeguard against excessive financial influence over political parties and candidates.”

n

SERAP urged INEC to clarify whether it had exercised the power and, if so, immediately publish the applicable contribution limits in a prominent and easily accessible location, including on its website.

n

The organisation also requested the latest detailed statements by political parties on their assets and liabilities, sources of funds and other assets and expenditure submitted to INEC.

n

It asked the commission to publish the parties’ financial records, including annual statements, audited accounts and election expenditure returns for 2023–2025, as well as its examination and audit reports under Sections 225 and 226 and annual reports submitted to the National Assembly within the same period.

n

“Nigeria has a persistent problem of political parties failing to disclose campaign contributions. Such non-compliance has been described as systemic, while the absence of clear and effective sanctions for default has weakened INEC’s ability to enforce compliance.

n

“Nigeria has long faced serious challenges in regulating political finance, including concerns about excessive campaign spending, opaque sources of political funding, weak disclosure and reporting, and limited enforcement of statutory spending and contribution rules”, the organisation added.

n n