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SERAP queries INEC on N126bn alleged diverted electoral funds, threatens court action within 7 days
By Our Reporter
Towards a build up to 2027 general election, the country’s electoral empire,
the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) , has come under the scrutiny of a non governmental organisation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), as the watchdog body has given INEC seven days to “account for over ₦126.46 billion in public funds appropriated for electoral operations but allegedly diverted, lost, mismanaged or otherwise unaccounted for.”
The funds relate to the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices and materials, sensitive materials and result sheets, vehicles, accreditation devices, audit and consultancy services, digital archiving and other goods and services required for the conduct and administration of elections.
In the letter dated 12 September 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “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.”
According to the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on 7 August 2026, the findings variously covered periods between January and December 2022 and, in some cases, extended to 31 December 2023.
SERAP urged INEC to “account for the over ₦126 billion, including the amounts paid, the beneficiaries of the payments, the contracts and procurement processes, the contractors and suppliers involved, and evidence of delivery, utilisation and the current status of the goods, services and electoral assets concerned.”
SERAP also urged Professor Joash Amupitan and INEC “to refer the alleged diversion, unlawful expenditure, procurement violations and other financial misconduct documented by the Auditor-General 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 urged Professor Amupitan and INEC “to identify the public officials, contractors, companies, suppliers and consultants responsible and take all necessary steps to recover any of the over ₦126 billion found to have been unlawfully or irregularly paid, lost, diverted, or paid for goods and services not supplied or properly utilised.”
SERAP said, “We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”
The letter, read in part: “These findings are particularly disturbing given the constitutional importance of INEC and the fact that the expenditure concerns resources appropriated for the administration of Nigeria’s electoral system.”
“These findings suggest a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), national anticorruption laws, and the country’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.”
“According to the Auditor-General, INEC ‘irregularly paid’ over ₦112 billion [₦112,155,597,845.00] ‘for ballot boxes, electoral devices, items and materials without competitive bidding or a BPP Certificate of No Objection.’”
“INEC also ‘paid over ₦1 billion [₦1,058,925,000.00] for Toyota Prado TXL 2021 Model without advertisement, competitive bidding, bid evaluation or a BPP Certificate of No Objection.’ The Auditor-General fears that the money ‘may have been lost’ and that the contracts ‘may have been inflated.’”
“INEC ‘paid over ₦3 billion [₦3,136,806,050.00] to four contractors for ballot guides, sensitive materials and result sheets before the contracts were awarded, with no evidence of payment.’ The Auditor-General is concerned that the money ‘may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“INEC also ‘paid over ₦9 billion [₦9,245,965,502.60] for 22 contracts for similar goods and services’, with the contracts ‘split to circumvent procurement procedures and awarded on the same day.’ The Auditor-General said the money ‘may have been lost’ and that ‘the payment may have been made for items not supplied.’”
“INEC ‘paid over ₦129 million [₦129,375,000.00] to 19 accounting firms for financial audit services without evidence of utilisation or requests and expenditure by the consultants.’ The Auditor-General raised concerns that the money ‘may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”
“INEC also ‘paid over ₦504 million [₦504,492,641.00] for accreditation devices without due procurement process. The ‘APG had expired before the security licence key was delivered and the software was valid for only four months, raising questions about economy and value for money.’ The Auditor-General also raised concerns that the money ‘may have been diverted.’”
“INEC ‘paid over ₦235 million [₦235,103,000.00] to unqualified contractors for sleeping mats and digital archiving.’ The Auditor-General identified ‘serious concerns regarding the eligibility and capacity of the contractors’, and raised concerns that the money ‘may have been lost.’ He wants the money recovered.”
“INEC should provide documentary and physical evidence that the over ₦112 billion identified as ‘irregularly paid’ was actually used to procure the electoral materials concerned and account for the present location and status of those materials.”
“Nigerians have a right to know every public act, everything that is done in the public interest, by their public institutions including INEC.”
“Democracy requires an informed citizenry. That principle is directly relevant to public expenditure by an electoral management body: citizens are entitled to know how resources entrusted to INEC for the conduct of elections have been used.”
“INEC should also ensure that no electoral equipment, material or other public asset covered by the Auditor-General’s findings is disposed of, transferred, destroyed, written off or otherwise dealt with in a manner that could frustrate accountability or recovery pending completion of the reconciliation and any resulting investigation.”
“Any referral to the EFCC and ICPC should expressly cover the contractors, companies, suppliers and consultants who irregularly received public funds, as well as any INEC officials or other public officials who authorised, processed, facilitated or benefited from the transactions.”
“The recommended investigations should determine, among other things: whether the contracted goods and services were actually supplied; whether payments corresponded with goods and services actually delivered; and whether contracts were deliberately split to circumvent procurement requirements.”
“Where investigations establish that public funds were unlawfully received or expended, INEC should cooperate fully with the EFCC, ICPC, Auditor-General, Attorney-General of the Federation and other competent authorities to secure recovery and remittance of the funds to the appropriate public account.”
“Recovery should extend to all amounts established to have been unlawfully or irregularly paid, together with any other recoverable public loss established through the investigations.”
“SERAP notes that Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions including INEC to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on INEC to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.”
“Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption requires INEC to adopt preventive anti-corruption policies and transparent public procurement and public financial management.”
“Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party protect citizens’ rights to participate in public affairs.”
General News
Independence Anniversary: Workers expect wage increase, reduction in petrol price, others, says Union
***Reaffirms Sept. 30 ultimatum, strike threat
By Sam Otuonye
As President Bola Tinubu gets set to address Nigerians on Thursday, October 1, to commemorate the country’s 66th year of Independence, the Nigerian public servants have listed wage increase and reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit ( PMS), otherwise known as petrol as the things expected to dominate the speech and make them renege on their earlier threat of embarking on a strike action.
Nigerian public servants under the aegis of Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), which made the declaration in a statement on Tuesday, reaffirmed their September 30, 2026 ultimatum to the federal government over the rising cost of petrol as well as their demand for a wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The workers union, which issued a three-day warning strike notice to the Federal Government, beginning October 2, said they would have no other option than to commence their warned strike action, if the government fails to slash the price of petrol, announce a wage award and introduce other measures to cushion the crushing hardship in the country.
The statement, which listed members of the JNPSNC to include the Nigerian Civil Service Union (NCSU); Medical and Health Workers Union (M&HWU); Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN); and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE); Nigeria Union of Public Service, Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers (NUPSRAW); National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW); and National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAAE), said it had mobilised public servants across the country for a three-day warning strike if the Federal Government failed to address the issues raised in its letter to President Bola Tinubu before the deadline.
The union in its statement, signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Olowoyo Gbenga, noted that it had earlier written to President Bola Tinubu on September 21, demanding that the price of petrol be slashed to N500, the immediate announcement of a wage award and the beginning of negotiations for not less than N500,000 minimum wage from 2027, among others.
The statement warned that if the president fails to address the unions demands during the Independence anniversary speech, “public servants nationwide would commence a three-day warning strike beginning October 2, 2026”, stressing that the concerns of Nigerian workers should no longer be ignored.
According to the statement, “the three critical issues requiring urgent attention are as follows: reduction of fuel price to N500 per litre. The Federal Government should take urgent steps to bring down the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per litre.
“This can be achieved through the provision of an intervention fund to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators.
“It is equally important for the Federal Government to ensure the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and operators of modular refineries at appropriate terms in order to facilitate increased domestic refining and help bring down the price of petroleum products.
“The current price of PMS, ranging from N1,450 to N2,000 and, in some locations outside major communities and cities, as high as N2,500 per litre, is unacceptable to Nigerian workers.
“The Council maintains that the economic hardship occasioned by the high cost of fuel is placing the survival of Nigerian workers, their dependants and the general populace under severe pressure, making it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to live normal and dignified lives.
Continuing, the union demanded that “the federal government should urgently approve a wage award for Nigerian workers to cushion the effects of the prevailing harsh economic conditions being experienced by workers, their dependants, and vulnerable Nigerians.
“The Council believes that urgent action on this demand will further enable public servants to consolidate their loyalty, commitment and productivity within the public service ecosystem.
“The Federal Government should urgently establish a tripartite committee to commence and facilitate negotiations for the new National Minimum Wage expected to become due in 2027.
“The Nigerian workers’ demand for the immediate constitution of the committee is informed by the need to avoid any administrative or procedural delay that could affect the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage once it is eventually negotiated and passed into law by the National Assembly.
“Consequently, the Council states that failure by the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to address these issues on or before 30th September 2026 will leave Nigerian workers with no option but to commence a three-day warning strike, with effect from Friday, 2nd October 2026, to press home their demands.
“It is imperative to state clearly that the Independence Day address of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should adequately address these critical issues.
“Failure to address the concerns raised by the Council, will attract the displeasure of Nigerian workers and their dependants, as well as other vulnerable Nigerians who continue to bear the brunt of the prevailing economic hardship,” the union warned
From Lawrence Davids (Lagos)
President Bola Tinubu returned to the country, Tuesday evening, after a four- week working vacation in Europe, declaring himself healthy, sound and ready to go.
The President arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, where he was received by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other dignitaries.
Responding to journalists about his health condition, the President said he remained fit and prepared to continue his duties.
“Rumours will always be emanate from politics. I am hale and strong. I am ready to work. The fact remains that I am here, healthy, sound and ready to go,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu had left Abuja on August 30 for the working vacation, spending one week in London before travelling to Paris, where he spent additional one three weeks.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu departed Paris for Lagos, where he is expected to hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates.
“While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections,” the statement read.
The Presidency said Tinubu chose to travel to Lagos first to honour the memory of the late Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the June 1993 presidential election and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.
“On October 1, Independence Day, the President would attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos,” the statement added.
The President had departed Nigeria on August 30 for London before travelling to Paris, with the Presidency describing the trip as a working vacation. He later extended his stay by a few days before returning to Nigeria on Tuesday.
The President is expected to remain in Lagos for the 66th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
He is scheduled to attend official engagements in the state, including activities marking Nigeria’s independence on October 1, before returning to Abuja.
*** Another N1.63 trillion missing public funds
*** Says magnitude of findings requires urgent, independent, transparent action
By Chidera Orji
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has given the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, seven days to account for $6.23 million election money and over N1.63 trillion missing public funds.
SERAP made the demand in a letter dated September 26, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
According to SERAP, the Auditor-General’s 2023 report published on August 7, 2026, exposed the missing funds.
SERAP listed the funds as N1.25 trillion unrecovered intervention loans given to state governments; N116.18 billion loans to distressed and liquidated banks; N262.86 billion shared under Anchor Borrowers Programme; and $6.23 million payment linked to alleged election funding request said to be made by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
SERAP asked the CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso, and the apex bank to explain how over N1.25 trillion intervention loans given to states and N116.18 billion loans to distressed banks disappeared, and to publish names of those who collected the money and how they plan to recover it.
The group also told CBN to give full details of the N262.86 billion shared under Anchor Borrowers Programme, including names of beneficiaries, how much each person got, how the money was used and how CBN wants to recover it.
On the $6.23 million election money, SERAP asked Cardoso and CBN to explain how the money was spent after an alleged request by former President Buhari, and to publish a report of internal investigation, who is responsible and how the money will be recovered.
“The accountability of public institutions, including the CBN, is a crucial pillar of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
“The magnitude and nature of these findings require urgent, independent and transparent action, as they raise fundamental questions about the custody, expenditure, accounting, safeguarding and recovery of public resources,” parts of the letter read.
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