The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, to urgently explain the alleged disappearance of N55.9 billion allocated for the procurement of election materials for the 2019 general elections.
This was contained in a statement on Sunday by SERAP, noting that the allegations were detailed in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General, published on 9 September 2025.
“We’ve urged Professor Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of @inecnigeria , 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.
“The grave allegations are documented in the latest annual report published by the Auditor-General on 9 September 2025. @inecnigeria must operate without corruption if the commission is to uphold Nigerians’ right to participation in their own government.”
The funds in question were reportedly meant for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other essential materials used during the elections.
SERAP warned that the alleged corruption directly undermines Nigerians’ constitutional right to participate in free, fair and credible elections, stressing that INEC must operate with complete transparency if it intends to maintain public trust.
“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 INEC cannot fulfill its constitutional responsibilities if it continues to fall short of basic accountability standards.
“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.”