In an open letter to presidential candidates sent in advance of the February 2023 election, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) implores them to show leadership by ordering their “campaign councils and political parties to regularly and widely publish the sources of their campaign funding.”
“We are concerned about the political parties’ susceptibility to corruption,” SERAP stated. Large donations that seek specific results or preferential treatment can undermine the interests of the general population.
“Transparency will help to control inappropriate influence on political candidates, maintain fairness, equality, and accountability in Nigeria’s democracy,” the organization claimed in an open letter dated October 29, 2022 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare.
Transparency in campaign financing will increase public confidence in Nigeria’s politicians and political parties and demonstrate your resolve to thwart and combat corruption if elected, according to SERAP.
“If Nigerians know where the money is coming from, they can scrutinize the specifics and bring the candidate and party that receive it to account,” claims SERAP.
The letter stated that even after the 2023 elections, SERAP would “consider appropriate legal actions to hold you and your political party to account for any infractions of the requirements of campaign funding, as provided for by the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the Electoral Act, and international standards.”
“SERAP encourages you to sign ‘transparency pacts’ that would require you to post donations and contributions extensively, including on your party website and social media channels, and to disclose the identity of donors.”
“Party corruption threatens the integrity of the executive branch, public confidence, and ultimately democracy.”
“Opacity in campaign financing can skew the democratic process, enable affluent politicians and individuals to seize power, and motivate officials to siphon public funds for their own political ends.”
“Transparency in campaign financing would assure fair and open elections, answer concerns about improper influence by the more economically affluent and advantaged people, as well as avoid corruption of the electoral process.”
“Political parties serve as the crucial bridge between the people and the government. Elections to public office are the most crucial context for democracy. Therefore, Nigerians need to know where the money for candidates’ campaigns comes from.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should be invited immediately to monitor your political party’s campaign spending and funding.
“State parties are required to increase openness in the funding of candidates for elected public office and, where appropriate, the funding of political parties, under the UN Convention against Corruption, to which Nigeria is a state party.”
In a similar vein, states parties are required by the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, which Nigeria has also ratified, to apply the concept of transparency to the funding of political parties.
Sections 86, 87, and 90 of the Electoral Act 2022, as well as Sections 225 and 226 of the Nigerian Constitution, “demonstrate the importance of transparency and accountability in party and campaign finances, as well as the need for political parties to be proactive in disclosing the sources of their donations and contributions, as well as how they use the funds they receive.”
“Please let us know if you and your political party are willing to commit to the issues outlined in this letter
Presidential candidates for Nigeria’s general elections in 2023 include: Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP); Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of All Progressive Congress (APC); Mr Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP); Mr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); and Professor Peter Umeadi of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
Others include: Prince Malik Ado-Ibrahim of Young Progressive Party (YPP); Omoyele Sowore of Africa Action Congress (AAC); Prince Adewole Adebayo of Social Democratic Party (SDP); Mr Kola Abiola of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP); Professor Christopher Imumulen of Accord Party (AP); Dumebi Kachikwu of African Democratic Congress (ADC); and Yusuf Mamman Dan Talle of Allied Peoples Movement (APM).