The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a strong demand to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a full account for a staggering N55.9 billion meant for the 2019 general elections, which is now reportedly missing or diverted.
Auditor-General's Report Exposes Massive Irregularities
In a letter dated the weekend of December 6-7, 2025, SERAP's Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, called on INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to explain the disappearance of funds allocated for critical election materials. These materials included smart card readers, ballot papers, and result sheets.
The organization based its demand on the damning findings in the latest annual report from the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025. The report documented grave allegations of financial mismanagement within the electoral body.
SERAP's letter insists that INEC must disclose the names of the contractors who received over N55.9 billion, along with details of their directors, shareholders, and addresses. Furthermore, it urges Professor Amupitan to refer the clear violations of constitutional and international standards to anti-corruption agencies for prosecution and to ensure the full recovery of the public funds.
Corruption Undermines Credible Elections and Rule of Law
SERAP argued that corruption in the procurement of essential election materials directly attacks the heart of Nigeria's democracy. It undermines the citizens' fundamental right to participate in a credible electoral process.
"INEC cannot properly carry out its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to conduct free and fair elections in the country if it continues to fail to uphold the basic principles of transparency, accountability and the rule of law," the organization stated.
It emphasized that for INEC to uphold Nigerians' right to participation in government, it must first operate without corruption. The allegations represent a serious abuse of public office and highlight an urgent need for INEC's leadership to commit to clean governance.
The letter also cited the 2022 audited report which revealed that INEC had 'irregularly paid' over N5.3 billion to a contractor for supplying Smart Card Readers for the same 2019 elections, adding to the pattern of financial concerns.
Broader Concern: Government's Disregard for Court Judgments
Alongside the specific financial allegations, SERAP lamented a persistent and damaging culture within government institutions: the refusal to obey court judgments, particularly those won in the public interest.
Oluwadare described this trend as a direct challenge to the rule of law and a corrosion of democratic values. He pointed out that disobedience to a court order is a contemptuous act punishable by fines, asset seizure, or imprisonment.
"The government has no excuse for disobeying court orders," he asserted. He questioned why judgments with political implications are often swiftly enforced, while those benefiting the general public are ignored, calling it a sad development.
The SERAP deputy director issued a stark warning: prolonged government disobedience to court orders "sets a dangerous precedent that can encourage citizens to disregard the law," thereby posing a significant threat to national order and stability. He noted that while the judiciary has the administrative power to enforce judgments, backed by the executive through the police, many rulings against the government remain unimplemented.
