Human rights and anti-poverty organisation, ActionAid Nigeria, has called for the immediate impeachment of any governor found guilty of using public funds to finance political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation made the demand in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, amid growing concerns over the alleged movement of large sums of money by political actors for campaign-related activities.
ActionAid Nigeria said the allegations had raised serious concerns about the source of funds allegedly being deployed for political mobilisation and consolidation of political influence ahead of the next election cycle.
Mamedu described the reports as disturbing and unacceptable, particularly at a time when millions of Nigerians were facing severe economic hardship, rising inflation, insecurity, unemployment and deteriorating living conditions.
According to him, any diversion of state resources meant for governance and development into partisan political activities would amount to a gross abuse of public trust.
“It is appalling that at a time when Nigeria is drowning in debt, workers are struggling with the rising cost of living, public hospitals are underfunded, schools are collapsing, insecurity is spreading, and millions of Nigerians are battling hunger and extreme economic hardship, that any suggestion of public resources are being diverted or deployed for political campaigns,” he stated.
The organisation stressed that governors were elected to serve citizens and not to convert public resources into what it described as “political war chests.”
ActionAid Nigeria also challenged governors and political actors allegedly linked to the claims to publicly disclose the source of funds being used for political activities, insisting that Nigerians deserved transparency and accountability.
The group further called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, as well as State Houses of Assembly, to commence immediate investigations into the allegations.
According to the organisation, any governor found culpable should face impeachment, prosecution and recovery of diverted public funds.
“Any governor who diverts public resources for political campaigns has violated public trust and abused the mandate given to them by citizens. Such individuals should not remain in office,” Mamedu said.
He warned that unchecked misuse of public resources could undermine democratic institutions and create an uneven political environment where incumbents enjoy unfair advantages over other contestants.
ActionAid Nigeria maintained that while political parties have the right to organise campaigns and seek lawful support, such activities must not involve public funds, government assets or state institutions.
The organisation cited countries including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany and South Africa as examples where accountability measures exist to prevent incumbents from using state resources for partisan political purposes.
It also urged citizens, civil society organisations, journalists, whistleblowers and anti-corruption advocates to remain vigilant and expose any suspicious use of public resources ahead of the 2027 elections.
ActionAid Nigeria said safeguarding democracy and protecting public resources must remain a collective responsibility of both institutions and citizens.
