The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked political parties’ presidential candidates to publish the sources of their campaign funding.
SERAP, in a statement by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said transparency would help to control inappropriate influence on political candidates, and ensure fairness, equality, and accountability in Nigeria’s democracy.
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It said;
If Nigerians know where the money is coming from, they can scrutinise the details, and hold to account the candidate and party that receive it.
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, even after the 2023 elections.
SERAP urges you to sign ‘transparency pacts’ that would mandate you to disclose the identities of donors and widely publish donations and contributions including on your party website and social media platforms.
Transparency in campaign funding would ensure fair and open elections and address concerns about undue influence by the more economically advantaged and privileged individuals, as well as prevent corruption of the electoral process.
Political parties provide the necessary link between voters and the government. No other context is as important to democracy as elections to public office. Nigerians therefore must be informed about the sources of campaign funding of those who seek their votes.
