The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has demanded an immediate explanation from the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, over the alleged missing or diverted N55.9 billion earmarked for the 2019 general elections.
SERAP issued the call after the Auditor-General’s annual report, released on 9 September 2025, raised red flags about the funds meant for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other critical election materials.
“We’ve urged Professor Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of INEC, to promptly account for the missing or diverted N55.9 billion meant for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other election materials for the 2019 general elections,” SERAP said.
The organisation insisted that transparency is non-negotiable if Nigerians’ trust in the electoral process is to be restored. “INEC must operate without corruption if the commission is to uphold Nigerians’ right to participation in their own government,” it stated.
SERAP warned that such allegations, if left unaddressed, threaten the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy. “Allegations of corruption in the supply of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other election materials directly undermine Nigerians’ right to participate in elections that are free, fair, transparent, and credible.”
The group added that the electoral body cannot fulfil its constitutional mandate while ignoring glaring accountability concerns. “INEC cannot properly carry out its constitutional and statutory responsibilities to conduct free and fair elections in the country if it continues to fail to uphold the basic principles of transparency, accountability and the rule of law.”
With public attention now firmly fixed on the commission, Nigerians await INEC’s official reaction to the Auditor-General’s findings and SERAP’s demand for full disclosure.