The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has made a formal request to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disclose any limits on political contributions as mandated by the Electoral Act of 2026. This call comes as Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general elections, with SERAP emphasizing the importance of transparency in political financing to ensure a fair electoral process.

In a Freedom of Information request dated August 22, 2026, SERAP's deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare urged INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan to clarify whether the Commission has set any limits on political donations and to publish these limits for public awareness. The organization stressed that such transparency is crucial for enabling voters, journalists, and civil society organizations to effectively scrutinize political financing.

SERAP highlighted that the lack of clear and accessible information regarding political contribution limits hinders the ability of citizens to make informed political choices. The organization pointed out that the increasing monetization of elections in Nigeria poses significant threats to democratic integrity and electoral competition.

The request from SERAP also includes demands for INEC to disclose its systems and procedures for monitoring compliance with political contribution limits. This includes details on how the Commission plans to address various forms of political financing, such as cash and in-kind contributions, digital and social media financing, and third-party expenditures that might bypass statutory limits.

The group underscored that INEC's constitutional responsibilities extend beyond merely receiving financial statements from political parties. It is imperative for the Commission to conduct thorough examinations of political party finances and report its findings to the National Assembly. According to SERAP, the publication of these reports would allow Nigerians to assess whether INEC is fulfilling its constitutional duties effectively.

Concerns regarding political financing in Nigeria have been longstanding, with issues such as excessive campaign spending, opaque funding sources, and inadequate enforcement of existing regulations frequently highlighted. SERAP pointed out that the absence of effective sanctions for non-compliance has weakened INEC's capacity to enforce political finance regulations.

The organization also noted that political parties and candidates are already mobilizing resources and soliciting contributions in preparation for the upcoming elections. Therefore, it is essential for INEC to clarify how it intends to monitor political financing during this critical period.

As the 2027 elections approach, SERAP has urged INEC to publish any prescribed contribution limits prominently, including on its website, and to provide clarity on the methodology used to determine these limits. The organization believes that this transparency is vital for safeguarding constitutional democracy and ensuring that citizens can participate meaningfully in public affairs.

With the Notice of Election and the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 General Elections already released, the call for transparency in political financing becomes even more pressing. SERAP has indicated that if INEC does not respond to their request within seven days, they will consider taking legal actions to compel compliance in the public interest.