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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), seeking a court order compelling the electoral body to investigate allegations that governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted about N800 billion in public funds for political and campaign purposes.
SERAP disclosed the development in a statement on Sunday, saying the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026, was filed last week at the High Court in Abuja.
The lawsuit follows media reports alleging that APC governors have been making monthly contributions from their Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations into a dedicated campaign fund to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“We’ve filed a lawsuit against INEC over the failure to investigate the allegations that governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted N800 billion for political and campaign purposes,” SERAP said.
The organisation is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling INEC to investigate the allegations and determine whether any provisions of Nigeria’s electoral laws have been breached.
“In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1426/2026 filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja, we are seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to investigate the allegations that governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted N800 billion for political and campaign purposes,” the statement read.
SERAP also wants the court to compel INEC to obtain full disclosure from the APC and the affected governors regarding the alleged campaign fund.
The rights group further urged the court to direct the electoral commission to begin a comprehensive review of political financing by parties and candidates in the current electoral cycle.
“We’re also seeking an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to promptly initiate a formal review and investigation into compliance with Section 91 of the Electoral Act by all political parties and candidates, particularly in relation to the sources and scale of political or campaign financing in the current political cycle.”
SERAP argued that the allegations, if left uninvestigated, could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
It added: “Opaque political financing remains a major entry point for corruption and a threat to democratic legitimacy. Nigerians deserve to know who funds the candidates or political parties of their choice and the sources of any such funding.”
The organisation also warned against the use of public resources for electoral advantage.
Neither INEC nor the APC had publicly responded to the lawsuit at the time of filing this report.
BREAKING: We’ve filed a lawsuit against @inecnigeria over the failure to investigate the allegations that governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) diverted N800 billion for political and campaign purposes.
According to reports, APC governors are allegedly making monthly…
— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) July 12, 2026
