The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the 19 presidential candidates announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publicly declare their assets and liabilities and unequivocally reject vote-buying ahead of the 2027 general elections.
​In an open letter dated August 8, 2026, and made public on Sunday, August 9, 2026, from the civil society group’s headquarters in Lagos, SERAP urged the candidates to embrace accountability beyond the bare legal minimum before asking Nigerians for their votes.
​The advocacy group urged all cleared contenders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (APC), Atiku Abubakar (ADC), Peter Obi (NDC), Seyi Makinde (APM), and Omoyele Sowore (AAC) to publish detailed disclosures regarding: Declarations covering personal wealth, liabilities, and those of their spouses and unmarried children under the age of 18.
Clear disclosures on legitimate sources of significant assets, including business interests, investments, property, substantial gifts, and inheritances.
Candidates should make a public pledge to update asset statements periodically and account for any material increases in wealth if elected to office.
​”Candidates asking Nigerians to entrust them with enormous constitutional powers over public finances, natural resources, appointments, and security institutions should be willing, before asking for their votes, to demonstrate that their personal financial affairs can withstand reasonable public scrutiny,” stated Kolawole Oluwadare, Deputy Director of SERAP.
​Beyond financial disclosure, SERAP challenged all campaign organizations to sign a binding public integrity pledge against voter inducement.
​The organization urged political parties and their agents to refrain from distributing money, food, gifts, or transportation allowances in exchange for votes.
Instruct party associates and campaign machinery to adhere strictly to non-corrupt practices and report any credible allegations of electoral bribery directly to law enforcement authorities.
​While acknowledging that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) only mandates formal asset declaration to the Code of Conduct Bureau upon assuming public office, SERAP stressed that the spirit of democratic governance demands proactive transparency.
​”Nigeria’s democracy belongs to its citizens. Votes must not be bought, and public office must not be treated as private property,” Oluwadare added. “Voluntary pre-election disclosure enables voters to assess potential conflicts of interest, evaluate character, and establish a baseline to monitor integrity in public governance.”
