The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to account for over N126.46 billion in public funds allegedly diverted, mismanaged, irregularly spent or otherwise unaccounted for in the administration of elections.
The organisation made the demand in a letter dated September 12, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and addressed to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan.
SERAP said the funds covered the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices, sensitive materials, result sheets, vehicles, accreditation devices, audit and consultancy services, digital archiving and other electoral goods and services.
The demand followed findings contained in the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on August 7, 2026. According to SERAP, the audit findings covered transactions between January and December 2022 and, in some cases, extended to December 31, 2023.
Alleged Procurement Irregularities
SERAP said the Auditor-General identified several financial and procurement irregularities involving INEC, including:
N112.15 billion: Allegedly paid for ballot boxes, electoral devices and other materials without competitive bidding or a Certificate of No Objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). The audit reportedly found no evidence that the items were procured and raised concerns that the funds may have been diverted.
N1.05 billion: Allegedly paid for Toyota Prado TXL 2021 vehicles without advertisement, competitive bidding, bid evaluation or a BPP Certificate of No Objection. The Auditor-General reportedly raised concerns about possible losses and inflated contracts.
N3.13 billion: Allegedly paid to four contractors for ballot guides, sensitive materials and result sheets before the contracts were awarded.
N9.24 billion: Allegedly paid for 22 contracts for similar goods and services, with concerns that the contracts were split to circumvent procurement procedures and that some items may not have been supplied.
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N129.37 million: Allegedly paid to 19 accounting firms for financial audit services without evidence of utilisation or requests for expenditure by the consultants.
N504.49 million: Allegedly paid for accreditation devices without due procurement procedures, with concerns over the expiry of the security licence and the short validity period of the software.
N235.1 million: Allegedly paid to unqualified contractors for sleeping mats and digital archiving.
The Auditor-General reportedly recommended the recovery of funds linked to several of the transactions and their remittance to the Treasury.
SERAP Demands Investigation, Recovery
SERAP urged Amupitan and INEC to provide detailed records of the payments, beneficiaries, contracts, procurement processes, contractors and suppliers involved in the transactions.
It also demanded documentary and physical evidence of the delivery, utilisation and current status of the goods and services allegedly procured.
The organisation called on INEC to refer the alleged diversion of funds, procurement violations and other financial misconduct to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation, prosecution and recovery.
SERAP further urged INEC to identify officials, companies, contractors, suppliers and consultants responsible for the alleged irregularities and take steps to recover any unlawfully or irregularly paid funds.
“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 act within seven days of receiving or being notified of the letter would lead it to pursue appropriate legal action to compel compliance.
The organisation also urged INEC to preserve all electoral equipment, materials and other public assets linked to the audit findings pending reconciliation, investigation and possible recovery.
SERAP said accountability for electoral funds was essential to public trust, democratic participation and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral institutions.