Close Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Politics
  • Column
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    • Photos
    • Fashion
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Life & Style
      • Crime
      • R&D Health
      • Diet and Fitness
      • Intimacy
  • Videos
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Trending
  • 107 Yelwata victims still hospitalised – Government official
  • Lagos, London partner to drive tech innovation
  • Lagos PDP chairmen reject council election results
  • 27 feared dead in fresh attack on Plateau community
  • Yabatech Rector calls for global visibility through quality research, publication
  • Former President Buhari buried in Daura amid prayers, tributes
  • Guinea-Bissau President, Niger Republic PM, others in Daura for Buhari’s burial
  • A towering figure in Nigeria’s history, Soludo mourns Buhari’s passing
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
The Eagle OnlineThe Eagle Online
Banner
  • Home
  • News

    107 Yelwata victims still hospitalised – Government official

    July 15, 2025

    Lagos, London partner to drive tech innovation

    July 15, 2025

    27 feared dead in fresh attack on Plateau community

    July 15, 2025

    Yabatech Rector calls for global visibility through quality research, publication

    July 15, 2025

    Guinea-Bissau President, Niger Republic PM, others in Daura for Buhari’s burial

    July 15, 2025
  • Sport

    36 Lions, Smart City join big boys at Eko International Cup

    July 15, 2025

    WAFU B U-20 Boys Tourney: Flying Eagles spank Junior Cheetahs, reach semi-finals

    July 14, 2025

    Super Falcons draw with Algeria, to play Zambia in quarter-finals

    July 14, 2025

    Sinner banishes Roland Garros demons to dethrone Alcaraz

    July 14, 2025

    How Chelsea crushed PSG to win Club World Cup

    July 14, 2025
  • Politics

    Lagos PDP chairmen reject council election results

    July 15, 2025

    Peter Obi’s exit from ADC could end his political career — Youth Vanguard

    July 15, 2025

    Gunmen kidnap contractor in Delta, demand N100m ransom

    July 14, 2025

    Agba mourns Buhari, says he left behind legacy of exemplary leadership

    July 14, 2025

    ADC declares three days mourning for Buhari

    July 14, 2025
  • Column

    Natasha’s double-faced argument in lost case, by Dayo Fadugba

    July 15, 2025

    Is there any hope for a country with extraordinary youth crime rate?, by Ola Emmanuel

    July 14, 2025

    Why Oyo North Senatorial District should produce the next Oyo State Governor, by Wale Ojo-Lanre

    July 14, 2025

    The passing of a mighty warrior, by Femi Fani-Kayode 

    July 14, 2025

    The salvo from Boss Mustapha, by Kazeem Akintunde

    July 14, 2025
  • Business

    Manufacturers urge privatisation of Nigeria’s public refineries

    July 14, 2025

    Sahara Energy Resource closes $225m facility for global expansion, sustainability

    July 13, 2025

    Group sues NNPCL over ‘failure to account for N825b, $2.5b meant for refinery repairs’

    July 13, 2025

    Renaissance CEO seeks PIA review, applauds regulatory progress

    July 11, 2025

    Reforms: How Nigeria, Kenya are rewriting Africa’s procurement ‘playbook’, by Sufuyan Ojeifo

    July 11, 2025
  • Entertainment
    1. Photos
    2. Fashion
    3. Movies
    4. Music
    5. Life & Style
      • Crime
      • R&D Health
      • Diet and Fitness
      • Intimacy
    Featured

    Former President Buhari buried in Daura amid prayers, tributes

    By Adenle Ahmed AbiolaJuly 15, 2025 Life and Style 2 Mins Read
    Recent

    Former President Buhari buried in Daura amid prayers, tributes

    July 15, 2025

    Mbah mourns Buhari, hails his forthrightness, patriotism

    July 14, 2025

    Peller, Burna Boy, Peter Obi spark widespread discussions on social media

    July 14, 2025
  • Videos

    Video: 2027: Alliance to have Atiku as president for one term, Obi as VP, to then run for presidency in 2031

    April 12, 2025

    APC Crisis: Why Tinubu demanded for Sanwo-Olu’s resignation

    April 10, 2025

    How Driver Of Gas-Bearing Truck Brought Misery To Many Under Otedola Bridge – Dotun Oladipo

    March 15, 2025

    Korra Obidi calls out ex-husband for failing to pay child support

    December 7, 2023

    2024 will be year of turbulence -Apostle Selman

    December 7, 2023
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
The Eagle OnlineThe Eagle Online
Home»Featured»Breaking: 2023: SERAP writes INEC, seeks details of financial transactions of political parties
Featured

Breaking: 2023: SERAP writes INEC, seeks details of financial transactions of political parties

Hassan MuazBy Hassan MuazMay 22, 2022No Comments
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
INEC, Independent National Electoral Commission
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Public watch body, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to “widely publish the reports on the accounts and balance sheet of every political party submitted by it to the National Assembly since 2015.”

The organization’s demand is contained in a press statement issued Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

The statement urged INEC boss to “urgently examine the books and records of financial transactions of political parties, and to make public the outcome of any such examination.”

SERAP also urged INEC Chair to “provide details of the guidelines, and steps that INEC is taking to prevent vote buying in the forthcoming elections in Ekiti and Osun states and 2023 general elections, and to prosecute vote buyers and other electoral offenders.”

The statement recalled that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) recently collected N100 million for its presidential form while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) collected N40 million for its presidential form for the 2023 election, alleging that some leading political parties and politicians also spend between N250 to N14,000 to buy votes.

In its letter dated 21 May, 2022 and signed by Oluwadare, SERAP argued: “Nigerians have the right to know about the accounts and financial transactions of their political parties, especially the major parties with a strong possibility to assume government in the future.”

SERAP maintained, “transparency and accountability of political parties is important to achieve greater transparency in public life, curb the influence of money in politics, promote a level playing field, and remove the risks to the independence of political actors and would-be public office holders.”

It also said, “It is both immoral and illegal to pay citizens to vote for a particular political party or candidate. Unpunished cases of vote buying and related electoral offences would continue to undermine good governance, the rule of law, moral values, as well as hinder citizens’ participation in elections.”

The letter, read in part: “When a political candidate decides to buy the support of the people rather than contest fairly for their votes, there are possibilities that such candidate will show a disregard for democratic rules and a disposition to adopt illegal means becomes inevitable.”

“Vote buying and related electoral offences encourage poor governance and weaken citizens’ capacity to hold their elected officials accountable for their actions.”

“SERAP urges you to urgently take measures and to collaborate with appropriate anti-corruption agencies to ensure the effective prosecution of any outstanding cases of vote buying and related electoral offences allegedly committed in the context of the 2019 general elections.”

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel INEC to comply with our request in the public interest.”

“The lack of transparency and accountability in political finance is seriously undermining the legitimacy and credibility of the democratic and electoral processes, and invariably contributing to denying the citizens the right to effective participation in their own government.”

“The failure of political parties to comply with transparency and accountability frameworks would undermine citizens’ trust in their political parties and lack of trust will inevitably destroy confidence in the system and decrease citizens’ interest and participation in the democratic process.”

“Elections are only one part of the democratic process, and a fair and effective electoral system must be founded in an adequate democratic infrastructure and responsibility of political leaders.”

“According to our information, several political parties have for many years failed to submit their annual financial statements to INEC. Many political parties have failed to submit election expenses reports, and to disclose material contributions received from individuals and corporate bodies to the Commission.”

“The Commission has also been apparently unable or unwilling to monitor, examine and publish these financial statements.”

“Also, some leading political parties, politicians and other political actors reportedly paid between N250 to N14,000 to buy votes. For many years, allegations of vote buying (the payment of cash or gifts in exchange for voting) and related electoral offences have characterised elections and party primaries in the country.”

“SERAP is concerned that despite several provisions of the Electoral Act (as amended), anti-corruption laws, and the country’s international anti-corruption obligations, suspected perpetrators of vote buying and related electoral offences frequently escape justice for their crimes.”

“However, INEC has consistently failed to exercise its powers and to provide the leadership that would promote collaboration with appropriate anti-corruption agencies to facilitate and ensure thorough, transparent and effective investigation of cases, and the arrest and prosecution of suspected perpetrators.”

“Section 86(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 requires every political party to submit to INEC a detailed annual statement of assets and liabilities and analysis of its sources of funds and other assets and statement of its expenditure. Failure to comply is an offence under Section 86(2), which is punishable by imprisonment for a term of six months or a fine of N1,000,000 or both.”

“Under Section 86(3)(4) INEC has the power to examine the records and audited accounts kept by any political party, and to publish the report on such examinations and audit in two national newspapers and Commission’s website within 30 days of receipt of the results.”

“Section 226 (1) of the Electoral Act 2022 also requires INEC to prepare and submit a report every year to the National Assembly on the accounts and balance sheet of every political party. Under Section 225(5), INEC has the power to give directions to political parties regarding their books or records of financial transactions.”

“The Nigerian Constitution and international standards guarantee and protect the right of all qualified citizens to vote, in state as well as in general elections.”

“The right to vote freely for the political party and candidate of one’s choice is of the essence of a democratic society, and any restrictions on that right strike at the heart of representative government.”

“The effective exercise of the right of qualified Nigerians to have a voice in the election of those who make and enforce the laws under which, as good citizens, they live can contribute to the enjoyment of other human rights, including to corruption-free public services, freedom of expression and digital and data rights.”

“Public confidence in voting systems serves as an indispensable feature of a full and healthy democracy.”

“Persistent failure to arrest and prosecute suspected perpetrators of vote buying and related electoral offences may ultimately undermine public confidence, the integrity of the country’s elections, and lead to wide-spread disaffection with the electoral process.”

Nigeria is conducting general elections early next year.

Following this and according to the INEC timetable, political parties have sold Nomination and Expression of Interest forms to aspirants vying for different elective offices.

Similarly, the parties’ primaries are also kicking off this week.

Post Views: 165

Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp

apc INEC PDP SERAP
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Telegram Email
Previous ArticleExpert advocates for sex education in communities to check abuse
Next Article Insurance premiums: NHIS maps out strategies to benefit 83m poor Nigerians
Hassan Muaz

Related Posts

Lagos PDP chairmen reject council election results

July 15, 2025

Peter Obi’s exit from ADC could end his political career — Youth Vanguard

July 15, 2025

US threatens Nigerians with deportation, permanent travel ban

July 15, 2025
Dangote Ad
© 2025 All Rights Reserved. The Eagle Online.
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advert Rates
  • Submit News
  • Contact Us

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.