SERAP demands explanation for alleged diversion of N55.9bn election funds, presses INEC for contractor list and prosecution
Chris Uba
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to publicly account for N55.9 billion allegedly missing or diverted from funds meant for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other materials for the 2019 general elections.
The organisation made the demand following revelations in the 2025 annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on 9 September 2025.
In a letter dated 6 December 2025 and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged INEC to publish the names, addresses, directors, and shareholders of all contractors who supposedly collected the N55.9 billion but allegedly failed to supply the materials.
SERAP also called on the INEC chairman to refer the allegations to relevant anticorruption agencies for investigation and prosecution, and to work toward full recovery of any diverted public funds.
According to the organisation, corruption in the procurement of election materials “directly undermines Nigerians’ right to free, fair, and credible elections,” adding that INEC must uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
Citing several findings from the Auditor-General’s report, SERAP highlighted multiple financial irregularities:
Key allegations from the Auditor-General’s report
N5.3 billion was “irregularly paid” to a contractor for smart card readers without approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) or the Federal Executive Council, and without evidence of supply.
INEC reportedly claimed the procurement fell under “national security,” a justification the Auditor-General dismissed as inconsistent with the Procurement Act.
N4.5 billion was paid to six contractors for ballot papers and result sheets with no proof of advertisement, bidding, approvals, or evidence of delivery.
Contractors failed to provide required eligibility documents, including tax clearance, pension and NSITF certificates, and BPP registration.
N331 million was paid under “doubtful circumstances,” including instances where receipts predated the contract awards by nearly a year.
Over N2.1 billion in stamp duties was not deducted from contractors between 2018 and 2019, with no justification offered by INEC.
More than N630 million in cash advances to INEC officers remains unretired, with some officers receiving new advances before clearing previous ones.
Contracts worth over N41 billion for printing ballot papers and result sheets were awarded without due process, and in some cases, to companies with unrelated business backgrounds such as oil and gas firms and construction companies.
INEC also awarded a N297 million contract for four Toyota Land Cruisers without FEC approval. A market survey reportedly showed that such vehicles cost no more than N50 million in 2019, raising concerns of possible overpricing and diversion.
The Auditor-General, in several instances, expressed concern that the funds “may have been diverted”, noting repeated failures by INEC to provide satisfactory explanations or supporting documentation.
SERAP argued that these allegations represent serious breaches of public trust, the Constitution, and Nigeria’s anticorruption laws, warning that INEC cannot claim impartiality in future elections without addressing them.
The organisation gave INEC seven days from the receipt or publication of the letter to respond. If the commission fails to act, SERAP says it will initiate appropriate legal action to compel compliance in the public interest.
