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Following the Leaked audio credited to Senate President Bukola Saraki where-in he claimed to have spent billions of Naira during the 2015 general elections, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In the letter, SERAP is requesting Yakubu to “immediately and thoroughly lunch an investigation to unveil the claim of Mr Saraki of spending between N200m and N400m in about 30 States in Nigeria during the 2015 elections excluding the south- western states in order to influence the general election outcome in favour of the All Progressive Congress (APC).


In the leaked audio,Mr Saraki claimed that some States, collected N300m, while others collected N400m, as well as N200m respectively. According to Saraki, “The only states where I had nothing to do with was in the South-west. Even on the phone, I was calling and giving banks instructions.”


SERAP, also demand INEC to investigate the source of other cases surrounding unexplained campaign financing and contribution of other politicians and supporters of the two major parties which are, APC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2015 general election. We urge you to collaborate with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in any such investigation.”


The organisation in a letter dated 17th November, 2018 signed by its senior legal adviser Bamisope Adeyanju, the senior lawyer said, “Allegation that one politician spent billions of Naira on elections in several states of the country to support a political party if not thoroughly, and transparently investigated and prosecuted would undermine the public faith in the country’s democracy.


SERAP added that, if such spending is allowed to continue would be capable of influencing policy-making process after election. This will make elected representatives impose their personal interest depending on their level of contribution to the political party during campaign as “investment” and thus seek returns on their purported investment to achieve electoral success for their party.”


The organization also said: “Such spending if allowed to continue can shape policy-making after elections, and improperly influence the decisions taken by the country’s elected representatives who will most likely consider their contributions to political parties’ campaign as ‘investment’ and thus seek returns on their purported investment to achieve electoral success for their party.”


According to SERAP: “Probing the sources of such spending would improve transparency and accountability in campaign spending and contributions. This is essential to curb abuse and mismanagement of Nigeria’s resources and will help to balance political competition, foster the integrity of officeholders, rebuild citizens’ trust in the political system’s integrity, as well as ensure that electoral processes and elected officials are not compromised by uncontrolled and unaccountable campaign funding.”


The letter copied to Ibrahim Magu, Acting Chairman EFCC; Musa Abubakar, Acting Chairman, ICPC; and Itse Sagay, Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) read in part: “Unexplained and unregulated spending to influence the outcome of any election can distort the electoral competition and lead to state capture by wealthy politicians and individuals.”


“SERAP urges you to prosecute anyone suspected to be involved and/or complicit in the alleged unexplained campaign spending, if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence of violations of international standards and national laws. We request that you take steps within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter, failing which SERAP will institute legal proceedings to compel you and the INEC to discharge your constitutional and statutory responsibilities in the public interest.”


“Unexplained and unregulated spending on election campaign would encourage politicians to divert public resources for political purposes rather than ensuring and directing critical spending for socio-economic development of the country, including on improving access to public services such as electricity, health, water, and education.”


“Campaign financing such as the spending allegedly disclosed by the Senate president undermines public trust and confidence in politicians and poses serious corruption risks, as it can blur the line between state and party politics, encourage the use of national resources to fund and influence elections. Such huge spending by an individual can even be converted into a conduit for money laundering.”


“SERAP notes that international law has increasingly recognised the importance of transparency for mitigating corruption in party politics and using disclosure of political financing as a means to improve it. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to which Nigeria is a state party obligates states to enhance transparency in the funding of candidates for elected public office and, where applicable, the funding of political parties. Similarly, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, which Nigeria has also ratified requires states to incorporate the principle of transparency into funding of political parties.”


“Further, Sections 225 and 226 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) affirms the powers of INEC to monitor, inquire into and assess campaign finances, and a party’s source of and management of funds, while Section 228 provides sanctions with regard to party finance and campaign finance.”

 

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