The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on all 19 presidential candidates announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publicly declare their assets and liabilities ahead of the 2027 election.
In a statement issued by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation also urged the candidates to disclose the assets of their spouses and, where applicable, their unmarried children below the age of 18.
SERAP further called on the presidential candidates to explain the legitimate sources of their significant assets and publicly commit to rejecting vote-buying and electoral bribery before and during the election.
The organisation urged the candidates to “go beyond the bare legal minimum” by voluntarily adopting stronger standards of transparency, accountability and integrity as they seek Nigeria’s highest elected office.
SERAP said candidates seeking the support of Nigerians should be prepared to subject their personal financial affairs to reasonable public scrutiny, given the powers attached to the presidency over public finances, natural resources, appointments and security institutions.
“Nigeria’s democracy belongs to its citizens. Votes must not be bought. Public office must not be treated as private property,” the organisation said.
It added that anyone seeking the country’s highest political office should be ready to meet the highest standards of transparency, accountability and integrity.
