The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) called on 19 presidential candidates to publicly declare their assets and liabilities on Monday [1].
The demand comes as Nigeria prepares for its 2027 presidential election [1]. By forcing transparency regarding personal wealth, the group aims to curb the practice of vote-buying and ensure that candidates are held accountable for their financial dealings before taking office.
SERAP directed its request toward the candidates announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, specifically naming prominent figures such as Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi [2]. The group said that public disclosure is necessary to promote transparency in the upcoming electoral cycle [1].
In addition to the asset declarations, the project urged the candidates to formally reject vote-buying [1]. The group said that such financial inducements undermine the democratic process and distort the will of the voters.
The call for transparency has already drawn criticism from some political figures. Omoyele Sowore said that SERAP remained mute when candidates refused to declare their assets during the 2023 election cycle [3].
Despite these contradictions regarding past actions, SERAP maintains that the current push is essential for the integrity of the 2027 vote [1]. The group said that the disclosure of both assets and liabilities would allow the electorate to make informed decisions based on the financial standing of the hopefuls.
Abuja serves as the center for these demands as the nation enters a critical period of political campaigning [1]. The project said that the public's right to know the financial background of its leaders is a cornerstone of socio-economic accountability.
“The group called on 19 presidential candidates to publicly declare their assets and liabilities.”
This move by SERAP highlights a persistent struggle in Nigerian politics to institutionalize financial transparency. While the demand for asset disclosure is intended to prevent corruption and the influence of 'dark money' in the 2027 elections, the friction between the group and critics like Sowore suggests that the effectiveness of such demands often depends on consistent enforcement and political will rather than voluntary compliance.
