RismadarVoice Reporters
September 13, 2026
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to account for more than ₦126.46 billion in public funds which, according to findings cited by the organisation from the Auditor-General of the Federation, were allegedly diverted, irregularly spent, lost, mismanaged or otherwise unaccounted for.
SERAP made the demand in a letter dated September 12, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and addressed to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.
The organisation said the funds were appropriated for various electoral operations, including the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices and materials, sensitive materials and result sheets, vehicles, accreditation equipment, audit and consultancy services, digital archiving, and other goods and services required for the administration of elections.
According to SERAP, the allegations were contained in the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on August 7, 2026. The audit findings covered transactions and activities carried out mainly between January and December 2022, with some matters extending to December 31, 2023.
SERAP is demanding that INEC provide detailed records showing the amounts paid, beneficiaries of the payments, contracts and procurement procedures, contractors and suppliers involved, as well as documentary evidence establishing that the goods and services were delivered, utilised and remain properly accounted for.
The organisation also called on INEC to refer the alleged financial irregularities and procurement violations to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation, prosecution and recovery where wrongdoing is established.
SERAP further demanded that officials, contractors, companies, suppliers and consultants responsible for any irregular transactions be identified and that all public funds found to have been unlawfully or irregularly paid be recovered.
Among the specific allegations cited by SERAP is an alleged payment of more than ₦112.15 billion for ballot boxes, electoral devices and other materials without competitive bidding or a certificate of “No Objection” from the Bureau of Public Procurement.
SERAP said the Auditor-General reportedly found no evidence that some of the items had actually been procured and raised concerns that contracts were awarded to companies whose competence, experience, capacity, addresses and factory locations could not be established.
The organisation also cited an alleged payment of ₦1.06 billion for Toyota Prado TXL 2021-model vehicles without advertisement, competitive bidding, bid evaluation or a BPP Certificate of No Objection.
Another transaction highlighted involved more than ₦3.13 billion allegedly paid to four contractors for ballot guides, sensitive materials and result sheets before the contracts were formally awarded. SERAP said the audit report found no evidence supporting the payments and expressed concern that the funds may have been diverted.
The organisation further cited more than ₦9.24 billion allegedly paid under 22 contracts for similar goods and services. According to the audit findings cited by SERAP, the contracts were split and awarded on the same day, raising concerns that procurement procedures may have been deliberately circumvented and that payments may have been made for items that were not supplied.
SERAP also referred to an alleged payment of ₦129.37 million to 19 accounting firms for financial audit services without evidence of utilisation, requests or expenditure by the consultants.
Other transactions cited include an alleged ₦504.49 million payment for accreditation devices without due procurement procedures, as well as more than ₦235 million reportedly paid to contractors for sleeping mats and digital archiving despite concerns about their qualifications and capacity.
SERAP said the allegations were particularly serious because the funds were allocated for the operation of Nigeria’s electoral system, describing electoral resources as public resources that must be fully accounted for.
The organisation urged INEC to provide documentary and physical evidence showing that the more than ₦112 billion identified as “irregularly paid” was actually used for the procurement of the electoral materials concerned.
It also called on the electoral commission to preserve all equipment, materials and other public assets covered by the audit findings pending reconciliation and possible investigations, warning against their disposal, transfer, destruction, write-off or other actions that could frustrate accountability or recovery.
SERAP said any investigation by the EFCC and ICPC should extend beyond public officials to contractors, companies, suppliers and consultants who may have received the funds irregularly.
The organisation said investigations should establish whether the contracted goods and services were actually supplied, whether payments corresponded with goods and services delivered, and whether contracts were deliberately divided to avoid procurement requirements.
SERAP also invoked constitutional and international anti-corruption obligations, arguing that public institutions have a responsibility to prevent corruption, ensure transparent procurement and protect public resources.
The organisation said Nigerians have a right to know how funds entrusted to INEC for the conduct of elections are spent, stressing that transparency in electoral expenditure is essential to public confidence in democratic institutions.
SERAP gave INEC seven days from receipt or publication of the letter to take the requested steps.
It warned that failure to respond within the stipulated period would prompt the organisation to pursue “all appropriate legal actions” to compel compliance in the public interest.
The allegations contained in the Auditor-General’s report and cited by SERAP have not, in themselves, established criminal liability against individual INEC officials, contractors or companies. Any such liability would require investigation and, where appropriate, prosecution and determination by a competent court.
