The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has demanded answers from INEC over ₦126bn missing electoral funds.
The organisation gave the Independent National Electoral Commission seven days to explain the whereabouts of the money.
SERAP said the funds covered several electoral operations and procurement activities. These included ballot boxes, electoral devices, sensitive materials and result sheets.
The organisation based its demand on findings from the Auditor-General of the Federation. SERAP said the audit raised concerns about several payments made by INEC.
The group also wants the electoral commission to identify those responsible for any financial violations.
The demand comes as Nigeria prepares for another major election cycle. Questions about electoral spending could therefore attract wider public attention.
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SERAP gives INEC seven days to respond
SERAP made the demand in a statement issued on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
Its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, signed the statement.
The organisation called on INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, to provide detailed explanations.
SERAP wants INEC to disclose how much it paid under the affected transactions. It also wants the commission to name the beneficiaries of those payments.
The group further requested details about the contracts and procurement processes.
It wants INEC to provide evidence showing that contractors delivered the goods and services.
SERAP also wants the electoral body to explain the current status of the equipment and materials.
The organisation warned that it could pursue legal action if INEC fails to respond within seven days.
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Audit raises questions over ₦112bn procurement
One major issue involves more than ₦112 billion linked to ballot boxes and electoral materials.
SERAP cited the Auditor-General’s finding that INEC paid ₦112,155,597,845.
The audit reportedly found no evidence that INEC procured the items covered by the payment.
It also raised concerns about the procurement process.
According to SERAP, INEC made the payments without competitive bidding. The commission also lacked a Bureau of Public Procurement Certificate of No Objection.
The audit further raised concerns about the companies that received the contracts.
It reportedly found limited information about their competence, experience and capacity.
The Auditor-General also questioned their addresses and factory locations.
SERAP said the audit raised concerns that the money may have faced diversion.
The organisation therefore wants INEC to recover any funds that investigators find irregular.
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SERAP wants EFCC and ICPC investigations
SERAP also called for referrals to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The group wants both agencies to investigate alleged financial misconduct.
It also wants them to pursue prosecution where investigators establish wrongdoing.
SERAP further demanded the recovery of any public money that officials or contractors received unlawfully.
The organisation said investigators should identify every official, contractor, company, supplier and consultant involved.
It also wants investigators to establish who authorised or processed the transactions.
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The group said electoral funds belong to the Nigerian public.
It argued that INEC must account for every naira allocated to electoral operations.
SERAP also said the commission must demonstrate that it used the money for approved purposes.
That demand forms a major part of the organisation’s campaign for accountability.
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Another transaction raised concerns over a Toyota Prado vehicle.
SERAP said the Auditor-General identified a payment of ₦1,058,925,000 for a Toyota Prado TXL 2021 model.
The audit reportedly found no advertisement for the procurement.
It also found no evidence of competitive bidding or bid evaluation.
According to SERAP, INEC also lacked a BPP Certificate of No Objection for the transaction.
The Auditor-General raised concerns that the payment could involve financial losses.
The audit also questioned whether the contract value received proper scrutiny.
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More than ₦3bn payment comes under scrutiny
SERAP also highlighted another payment exceeding ₦3 billion.
The organisation said INEC paid ₦3,136,806,050 to four contractors.
The contracts covered ballot guides, sensitive materials and result sheets.
According to the audit findings cited by SERAP, INEC made the payments before awarding the contracts.
The audit also reportedly found no evidence supporting the payments.
SERAP said the Auditor-General raised concerns that the money could have faced diversion.
The organisation wants investigators to establish whether contractors delivered the materials.
It also wants authorities to recover any funds that investigators find improperly handled.
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INEC faces questions over ₦9bn contracts
Another area of concern involves more than ₦9 billion.
SERAP said INEC paid ₦9,245,965,502.60 across 22 contracts.
The contracts involved similar goods and services.
The organisation said the Auditor-General found that INEC split the contracts.
According to the audit, the commission may have split them to avoid procurement requirements.
The report also stated that officials awarded the contracts on the same day.
SERAP wants investigators to establish whether the materials reached INEC.
It also wants them to determine whether the payments matched actual deliveries.
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Accounting firms also appear in the audit
SERAP also raised concerns about payments to accounting firms.
The organisation said INEC paid ₦129,375,000 to 19 accounting firms.
The payments reportedly covered financial audit services.
However, SERAP said the Auditor-General found no evidence of utilisation.
The audit also reportedly found no requests or expenditure records from the consultants.
SERAP said the Auditor-General raised concerns that the money could have faced diversion.
The organisation wants the funds recovered if investigators establish irregularities.
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SERAP demands protection of electoral assets
The organisation also asked INEC to protect all electoral assets covered by the audit findings.
SERAP said INEC should not dispose of the equipment while investigations remain pending.
It also wants the commission to avoid transferring or destroying the affected assets.
The organisation said INEC should not write off any relevant electoral property.
According to SERAP, such actions could frustrate accountability and recovery efforts.
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SERAP also wants investigations to cover private companies and individuals involved.
The group said investigators should examine contractors, suppliers and consultants.
They should also examine INEC officials who authorised or facilitated the transactions.
The organisation wants investigators to determine whether anyone benefited from the questioned payments.
SERAP raises constitutional concerns
SERAP said the allegations raise serious questions about public trust.
The organisation linked its concerns to constitutional provisions on corruption and public administration.
It specifically referenced Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution.
SERAP said the provision requires public institutions to fight corruption and abuse of power.
The organisation also cited Section 13 of the Constitution.
It said the provision places responsibilities on public institutions regarding the objectives in Chapter Two.
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SERAP also referenced Nigeria’s anti-corruption laws and international obligations.
The organisation said the findings require urgent attention because of INEC’s constitutional role.
It argued that public confidence depends partly on transparent electoral spending.
Why the demand matters ahead of 2027
The controversy comes at a sensitive period for Nigeria’s electoral system.
Political parties and candidates are already preparing for the 2027 elections.
INEC will play a central role in organising and administering those elections.
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Concerns about electoral spending could therefore affect public confidence in the commission.
SERAP wants INEC to address the audit findings before they create deeper questions about accountability.
The organisation said transparency remains essential when public funds support elections.
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The group has now placed a seven-day deadline before the electoral commission.
SERAP said it could seek legal remedies if INEC fails to address its demands.
For now, the organisation wants detailed records of the questioned transactions.
It also wants authorities to investigate possible violations and recover any missing funds.
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INEC must account for the questioned funds
The demand centres on one major issue: accountability for public money.
SERAP wants INEC to explain how it spent the funds highlighted in the audit.
The organisation also wants evidence that contractors supplied the goods and services.
It further wants authorities to establish whether procurement rules guided the transactions.
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Until the relevant agencies complete their reviews, the allegations remain allegations.
However, SERAP insists that INEC must provide clear answers within seven days.
The organisation says Nigerians deserve transparency over every naira allocated to the electoral system.
The demand for answers over the ₦126bn missing electoral funds could now place further pressure on INEC.
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