Precious Nwonu, Enugu
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has given the Independent National Electoral Commission seven days to account for more than ₦126.46bn in electoral funds flagged over alleged procurement irregularities.
SERAP made the demand in a statement issued by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, following concerns raised in the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
The audit report, published on August 7, 2026, examined government transactions between January and December 2022, with some findings extending to December 31, 2023.
According to SERAP, the funds in question were linked to the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices and other materials, sensitive electoral materials, result sheets, vehicles and other services related to election administration.
The organisation said some of the payments were allegedly made without following required procurement procedures, while the delivery or utilisation of some of the goods and services could not be established.
SERAP urged INEC to provide details of the amounts paid, beneficiaries, contracts and procurement processes, as well as the contractors and suppliers involved.
It also asked the commission to provide evidence of the delivery and utilisation of the goods and services and account for the current status of the electoral assets involved.
The organisation further called on INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, to refer the alleged financial irregularities to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for investigation.
SERAP said the agencies should prosecute anyone found culpable and recover public funds where wrongdoing is established.
One of the major issues highlighted by the organisation involved more than ₦112.15bn allegedly paid for ballot boxes, electoral devices, items and materials without competitive bidding or a Certificate of No Objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement.
SERAP said the Auditor-General reported that there was no evidence that the items were procured.
The organisation also said the audit raised questions about the companies involved, including concerns over their competence, experience, capacity, addresses and factory locations.
SERAP maintained that INEC must account for the funds and demonstrate that they were spent for their intended purposes.