SERAP Unleashes Demand: Presidential Candidates Must Disclose Assets, Pledge Against Vote-Buying

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a significant call to all 19 presidential candidates slated for the 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In an open letter dated August 8, 2026, and signed by Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP unequivocally demanded that these candidates publicly declare their assets and liabilities. This demand extends beyond the candidates themselves to include their spouses and, where applicable, their unmarried children under the age of 18, along with a clear disclosure of the legitimate sources of their wealth.

SERAP's rationale behind this stringent requirement is rooted in the belief that such transparency would demonstrate a profound commitment to accountability and integrity well in advance of the elections. This proactive disclosure, the organization argues, is crucial for enabling Nigerian voters to critically evaluate candidates based on their competence, policies, and vision, rather than solely on their financial influence. The letter was specifically addressed to prominent candidates such as President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi of the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), Senator Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other representatives from various political parties.

Beyond asset declaration, SERAP also urged all presidential aspirants to take a firm stance against vote-buying and electoral bribery. The organization called upon candidates, their political parties, campaign teams, agents, and supporters to completely abstain from employing money, gifts, or any other material incentives to influence voters. It emphasized that the electoral process should empower citizens to make informed decisions based on a candidate's inherent qualities, policies, and proposed vision for the nation, rather than being swayed by financial inducements. SERAP highlighted that individuals seeking to hold constitutional powers over public finances, resources, appointments, and national security must first exhibit transparency regarding their personal financial standings.

While acknowledging that Nigerian law does not explicitly mandate presidential candidates to disclose assets prior to elections, SERAP cited the 1999 Constitution as a document that strongly upholds the principles of transparency and accountability. The constitution, it noted, requires elected officials to declare their assets upon assuming public office. Therefore, SERAP posited that voluntary pre-election disclosures would serve as a vital mechanism for voters to identify potential conflicts of interest and to monitor any changes in a candidate's wealth throughout their tenure, fostering greater public trust.

Furthermore, SERAP referenced Nigeria’s international obligations, specifically mentioning treaties like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee citizens the right to make informed electoral choices. The organization expressed deep concern over the persistent issue of money being used to manipulate votes, asserting that such practices fundamentally breach constitutional principles. It underscored that sovereignty ultimately resides with the Nigerian people and that government authority is derived directly from its citizens, as stipulated in Section 14(2)(a) of the Constitution. SERAP also reminded stakeholders that electoral bribery is a criminal offense, explicitly prohibited under Section 125 of the Electoral Act 2026. The civil society organization lamented that in the current climate of economic hardship and widespread poverty, vote-buying exploits vulnerable voters and diminishes the democratic process to a mere commercial transaction, undermining the sanctity of public office as a public trust.

To foster a more robust and ethical electoral environment, SERAP outlined several specific actions for the candidates. These include publishing and regularly updating their assets and liabilities, fully disclosing the sources of their wealth, publicly rejecting all forms of inducements, actively discouraging their supporters from offering bribes, diligently reporting any cases of electoral bribery they encounter, and ultimately signing a public pledge to commit to peaceful, transparent, and corruption-free elections. These measures, SERAP concluded, are essential for candidates to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability.