SERAP’s Asset Declaration Call Resurfaces as Nigeria Heads Toward 2027 Presidential Election.

SERAP’s Asset Declaration Call Resurfaces as Nigeria Heads Toward 2027 Presidential Election.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has renewed attention on the need for greater transparency among Nigeria’s political leaders, amid growing political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, the specific appeal asking presidential candidates including Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi to publicly declare their assets and reject vote-buying was made by SERAP in June 2022, ahead of the 2023 presidential election. The organisation called on the candidates to disclose their assets and liabilities and publicly commit to rejecting vote-buying, electoral bribery, intimidation and harassment.

In its open letter, SERAP argued that although Nigerian law did not require presidential candidates to publicly release their asset declarations before an election, voluntary disclosure would demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability. The organisation maintained that public office is a trust and that voters deserve clear assurances from those seeking political power on issues including integrity, openness, accountability, human rights and respect for the rule of law.

SERAP also linked asset transparency to the broader challenge of vote buying in Nigeria. It urged presidential candidates to reject the practice, arguing that the buying of votes undermines political equality and fair electoral competition by allowing financial influence to distort voters’ choices.

The organisation further called for greater scrutiny of government spending, including security votes, and urged candidates to make commitments that would strengthen accountability if elected. SERAP said publicly available asset declarations could provide citizens and civil society organisations with an important basis for monitoring whether elected officials accumulate wealth beyond legitimate means.

The issue remains relevant as Nigeria moves toward the 2027 elections. President Tinubu has already emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, while Atiku and Obi are among the major opposition figures whose political activities are being closely watched as alliances and electoral strategies take shape.

SERAP has continued to campaign for greater transparency in public office. In 2024, for example, the organisation urged President Tinubu to make his asset declaration publicly available and encouraged other senior public officials to do the same.

The renewed focus on asset disclosure comes against a wider debate about Nigeria’s electoral integrity, campaign financing and the role of money in politics. For voters, transparency over candidates’ financial interests remains an important part of assessing potential conflicts of interest and holding public officials accountable.

As political parties prepare for the 2027 contest, calls for transparent campaign financing, credible elections and stronger safeguards against vote buying are likely to remain central to Nigeria’s democratic debate.