Group Gives INEC 7 Days To Account For Alleged ₦126bn Missing Electoral Funds

Group Gives INEC 7 Days

 

OpenLife News reports that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of failing to account for over ₦126.46 billion appropriated for electoral operations.

In a letter dated 12 September 2026 signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP gave INEC 7 days to provide explanations or face legal action.

What the Auditor-General Found
According to the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, covering January 2022 to December 2023, several payments by INEC lacked due process and evidence of delivery:

₦112.15 billion was “irregularly paid” for ballot boxes, electoral devices and materials without competitive bidding or BPP approval. The Auditor-General found “no evidence that the items were procured” and that contracts went to companies with “unknown competence and addresses.

”₦1.05 billion was paid for Toyota Prado TXL 2021 models without advertisement or bidding. The report fears the money “may have been lost” and contracts “inflated.”

₦3.13 billion was paid to four contractors for ballot guides and sensitive materials “before contracts were awarded” with no evidence of payment.

₦9.24 billion for 22 contracts was allegedly split to circumvent procurement rules and awarded on the same day.

₦504.4 million was paid for accreditation devices whose software licence expired in 4 months.

₦129.3 million was paid to 19 audit firms with “no evidence of utilisation.”

₦235.1 million was paid to “unqualified contractors” for sleeping mats and digital archiving.

The Auditor-General recommended that all funds “possibly diverted or lost” be recovered and remitted to the treasury.

SERAP’s Demands
SERAP urged INEC to: “Account for the over ₦126 billion, including amounts paid, beneficiaries, contracts, procurement processes, and evidence of delivery and current status of assets.”

The group also called on INEC and Professor Joash Amupitan to immediately refer the case to the EFCC and ICPC for investigation, prosecution and recovery. It further demanded that all officials, contractors and consultants involved be identified.

“Electoral resources are public resources. INEC must be able to account for every naira and show that it served the purpose for which it was appropriated,” SERAP said.

The group warned that failure to act within 7 days would compel it to take “all appropriate legal actions in the public interest.”SERAP noted that the findings violate Section 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution, anti-corruption laws, and Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.