SERAP urges 2027 presidential candidates to publish assets and reject vote-buying
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project SERAP has called on all 19 presidential candidates for the 2027 election to publicly disclose their assets and liabilities, along with those of their spouses and unmarried children under 18. SERAP also urged candidates to reveal the legitimate sources of their significant assets and to publicly denounce vote-buying and electoral bribery. This appeal was made in an open letter dated August 8, 2026, addressed to candidates including President Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi. SERAP emphasized that candidates seeking Nigeria's highest office should demonstrate a commitment to transparency, accountability, and integrity, going beyond the legal minimum requirements. The organization highlighted that while the Nigerian Constitution mandates asset declarations for elected officials, it also embodies principles of transparency. SERAP expressed concern over the persistent use of money and inducements to influence voters, stating that vote-buying undermines the constitutional principle of popular sovereignty and is criminalized by the Electoral Act 2026.
