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 allegedly diverted, mismanaged, lost or otherwise unaccounted for.
SERAP on said the funds were appropriated for electoral operations, including the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices and materials, sensitive election materials, result sheets, vehicles and accreditation devices.
The organisation also said the funds covered payments for audit and consultancy services, digital archiving and other goods and services required for the conduct and administration of elections.
According to SERAP on Sunday, the findings were contained in the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on August 7, 2026. It said the audit findings covered various periods between January and December 2022, with some extending to December 31, 2023.
In its demand to INEC, SERAP called for a detailed account of the over ₦126 billion, including the amounts paid, beneficiaries, contracts, procurement processes, contractors, suppliers and consultants involved.
It also demanded evidence showing the delivery, utilisation and current status of the goods, services and electoral assets covered by the expenditure.
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SERAP urged INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to refer alleged cases of diversion, unlawful expenditure, procurement violations and other financial misconduct identified in the Auditor-General’s report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The organisation said the agencies should investigate the allegations, prosecute those found culpable and recover any public funds established to have been unlawfully or irregularly paid, diverted, lost or spent on goods and services that were not supplied or properly utilised.
SERAP further called on Amupitan and INEC to identify the public officials, contractors, companies, suppliers and consultants responsible for any financial irregularities uncovered by the audit.
“Electoral resources are public resources,” SERAP said, stressing that INEC must account for every naira, demonstrate that the funds were lawfully spent and show that they were used for the purposes for which they were appropriated.
The organisation said it expected INEC to respond to its demands within seven days.