POLITICAL FUNDING: SERAP DRAGS INEC TO COURT AS PARTY ACCOUNTS ENTER 2027 ELECTION MARKET

Political Funding don enter another courtroom matter as Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, drag INEC go Federal High Court for Abuja, demanding answers about how political donations and party money dey monitored before Nigerians reach 2027 ballot box. The matter get suspense because SERAP dey ask whether INEC don actually prescribe the limits for political contributions under Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2026, and if e don, why Nigerians never see the figures clearly.

The organisation also dey demand information about political parties’ financial statements, audited accounts, sources of funds, election expenditure and INEC own monitoring and enforcement arrangements. In other words, the question no be simply “who get money?” but “where the money come from, how much enter, how much comot, and who dey check the receipt?” Na here political funding matter begin resemble family meeting where everybody dey claim say na another person hold the account book.

SERAP SAY MAKE INEC OPEN THE POLITICAL FUNDING FILE

SERAP don file suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2114/2026, asking the court to compel INEC to disclose whether contribution limits don dey prescribed under Section 91 of the Electoral Act 2026 and, if yes, publish the limits and explain how political parties, candidates, donors and ordinary Nigerians suppose know them. SERAP also wants INEC to explain the systems wey e get to monitor, investigate and enforce compliance with campaign-finance rules as 2027 election preparation dey gather momentum.

The organisation dey ask for disclosure of recent party financial records, including assets, liabilities, sources of funds, audited accounts and election-expenditure returns covering 2023 to 2025. SERAP also wants information about INEC examination and audit reports, enforcement actions and which political parties submit their required contribution reports. With this Political Funding matter now before court, Nigerians may soon discover whether some political accounts get enough paperwork to make an accountant smile—or enough mystery to make calculator request for legal representation.

PARTY ACCOUNTS, CAMPAIGN MONEY AND THE 2027 COUNTDOWN

INEC’s own 2026 regulations say political parties are expected to maintain proper books and records of campaign expenses, disclose contributions and other sources of campaign funds, and submit detailed audited campaign returns within six months after an election. The rules also provide that campaign returns should contain information about donations and funding sources. So, the argument around Party Accounts no be new invention; the bigger question na whether the rules dey properly followed, monitored and enforced.

SERAP had earlier asked INEC in August to publish contribution limits and party financial information, while the organisation has also separately challenged INEC over allegations concerning the use of public funds for political and campaign purposes. Those allegations remain claims requiring investigation and legal determination, not established facts. The latest case therefore puts attention on the wider question of whether Political Funding for the 2027 race will be transparent enough for voters to understand who dey finance political activities and whether existing rules dey actually work.

As the case continues, the real political funding wahala may no be only the size of campaign money but the visibility of the money trail. If Party Accounts, donation limits and enforcement records become easier for Nigerians to examine, political finance discussion fit move from rumour and political gossip enter evidence and documented records. OGM News Pidgin go dey watch the courtroom, because when election money begin speak through figures, even calculator fit need journalist to interpret the story.