By Dennis Okechukwu
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 allegedly diverted, mismanaged, irregularly spent or otherwise unaccounted for.
SERAP said the funds were appropriated for electoral operations, including the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices and materials, sensitive election materials, result sheets and other goods and services required for the conduct of elections.
The organisation made the demand in a statement issued on Saturday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and made available to journalists on Sunday.
It based its concerns on findings contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2023 audited report, published on August 7, 2026, covering transactions between January and December 2022 and, in some cases, extending to December 31, 2023.
SERAP urged INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to provide details of the funds, including the amounts paid, beneficiaries, contracts and procurement processes, contractors and suppliers involved, as well as evidence that the goods and services were delivered and properly utilised.
It also called on the commission to refer alleged cases of financial misconduct, procurement violations, unlawful expenditure and diversion of public funds to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation, prosecution and recovery.
According to SERAP, the Auditor-General reported that INEC “irregularly paid” more than ₦112.15 billion for ballot boxes, electoral devices and other materials without competitive bidding or a Bureau of Public Procurement Certificate of No Objection.
SERAP said the Auditor-General further reported that there was no evidence that some of the items were procured, while the contracts were allegedly awarded to companies whose competence, experience, capacity, addresses and factory locations could not be established.
The organisation said the Auditor-General expressed concern that the funds might have been diverted and recommended their recovery.
SERAP also cited an alleged payment of more than ₦1.05 billion for Toyota Prado TXL 2021-model vehicles without advertisement, competitive bidding, bid evaluation or a BPP Certificate of No Objection.
It further alleged that more than ₦3.13 billion was paid to four contractors for ballot guides, sensitive materials and result sheets before the contracts were formally awarded, while more than ₦9.24 billion was reportedly paid under 22 contracts for similar goods and services.
According to SERAP, the Auditor-General raised concerns that some of the contracts were split to circumvent procurement procedures and that payments may have been made for items that were not supplied.
The organisation also cited 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.
SERAP urged INEC to identify the officials, contractors, companies, suppliers and consultants responsible for any irregular transactions and take steps to recover public funds found to have been unlawfully or irregularly paid.
It also asked the commission to ensure that no electoral equipment, materials or other public assets covered by the Auditor-General’s findings are disposed of, transferred, destroyed or written off pending reconciliation and possible investigations.
The organisation said any investigation by the EFCC or ICPC should cover both private contractors and INEC or other public officials who authorised, processed, facilitated or benefited from the transactions.
SERAP said the investigations should establish whether the contracted goods and services were actually supplied, whether payments corresponded with items delivered and whether contracts were deliberately split to circumvent procurement requirements.
“Electoral resources are public resources. INEC must be able to account for every naira, demonstrate that it was lawfully spent and show that it served the purposes for which it was appropriated,” the organisation said.
SERAP warned that failure to respond within seven days could prompt it to take legal action to compel compliance in the public interest.
The organisation said the allegations were particularly concerning because of INEC’s constitutional responsibility to administer Nigeria’s electoral system, adding that the reported findings could amount to violations of public trust, anti-corruption laws and Nigeria’s obligations under the United Nations Convention against Corruption.