The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to account for over ₦126.46 billion in public funds meant for electoral operations that were allegedly diverted, lost, mismanaged or left unaccounted for.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the funds were appropriated for the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices and materials, sensitive materials, result sheets and other goods and services needed for elections.
The group based its demand on the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on August 7, 2026, which covered periods from January to December 2022 and, in some cases, up to December 31, 2023.
SERAP urged INEC and its Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, to provide full details of the amounts paid, the beneficiaries, the contracts and procurement processes, the contractors and suppliers involved, and evidence of delivery, utilisation and the current status of the goods and electoral assets.
It also called on the commission to refer the alleged diversions, unlawful expenditures 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 of funds.
According to the Auditor-General’s findings highlighted by SERAP:INEC irregularly paid over ₦112 billion for ballot boxes, electoral devices and materials without competitive bidding or a Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Certificate of No Objection.
There was no evidence the items were procured, and contracts went to companies whose competence, experience, capacity, addresses and factory locations were unknown.
Over ₦1 billion was paid for Toyota Prado TXL 2021 models without proper procurement processes.
More than ₦3 billion was paid to four contractors for ballot guides, sensitive materials and result sheets before the contracts were awarded.
Over ₦9 billion was paid for 22 contracts that were split and awarded on the same day, allegedly to circumvent procurement rules.
Over ₦129 million was paid to 19 accounting firms for audit services without evidence of utilisation.
“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,” SERAP stated.
The organisation warned that if INEC fails to respond within seven days, it will take legal action to compel compliance.
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