SERAP gives INEC 7-day ultimatum to explain N126bn expenditure
BY STEPHEN GBADAMOI
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a seven-days ultimatum to account for N126.46 billion in expenditures it says were flagged in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s audit findings.
In a letter dated September 12 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP demanded details of the transactions, including payments, beneficiaries, contracts, contractors and evidence that the goods and services were delivered and utilised.
SERAP said the audit findings covered the procurement of electoral materials, vehicles, accreditation devices, audit services, digital archiving and other election-related items.
Among the transactions it highlighted was N112.15 billion reportedly paid for ballot boxes, electoral devices and other materials without competitive bidding or a Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) Certificate of No Objection.
According to SERAP, the auditor-general also raised concerns over N1.05 billion spent on Toyota Prado vehicles, more than N3.13 billion allegedly paid to contractors for sensitive electoral materials, and N9.24 billion involving 22 contracts allegedly split to circumvent procurement procedures.
The organisation urged INEC to refer the flagged transactions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for investigation, prosecution and recovery where necessary.
“Electoral resources are public resources. INEC must be able to account for every naira,” SERAP said.
The organisation also warned that it would take legal action, if INEC failed to respond within seven days, while also urging the commission to preserve all electoral assets linked to the audit findings pending reconciliation and investigation.
