2027: SERAP demands Tinubu, Atiku, Obi declare assets

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on the 19 presidential candidates announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission to publicly disclose their assets and liabilities before the 2027 presidential election. In an open letter signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged the candidates to also reveal the financial information of their spouses and unmarried children under 18, as well as the legitimate origins of their significant wealth.

The organization emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, and integrity in the electoral process, stating that Nigerian citizens should not be asked to choose based on candidates' financial capacity, but rather on their policies, competence, integrity, and vision for the country. SERAP also urged candidates to reject vote-buying and electoral bribery, citing Section 14(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 125 of the Electoral Act 2026, which criminalize bribery and related conduct intended to secure electoral office or votes.

By voluntarily disclosing their financial information before the election, the candidates would enable voters to scrutinize their financial interests and identify potential conflicts of interest, thereby strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.