The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has renewed its call on all 19 presidential candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 election to voluntarily disclose their assets and liabilities ahead of the poll.
SERAP urged the candidates to publish details of their personal assets and liabilities, as well as those of their spouses and, where applicable, unmarried children below the age of 18.
The organisation also called on the presidential contenders to disclose the legitimate sources of their significant assets, arguing that Nigerians have a right to scrutinise the wealth and financial interests of individuals seeking to control the country’s public resources.
According to SERAP, although the 1999 Constitution, as amended, does not expressly require presidential candidates to declare their assets before an election, Section 140(1) requires an elected President to make the prescribed asset declaration before assuming office.
SERAP said candidates should go beyond the minimum constitutional requirement by voluntarily making their asset declarations public before Nigerians cast their votes.
The organisation maintained that presidential candidates should lead by example by embracing transparency and accountability throughout the electoral process.
It warned that candidates who fail or refuse to voluntarily publish their assets could face legal action, saying it would consider all appropriate legal measures to ensure Nigerians have access to information needed to scrutinise the wealth, financial interests and sources of assets of those seeking the presidency.
SERAP said transparency should form the foundation of the 2027 election campaign and governance beyond the polls.
“Let the campaign begin with transparency. Clean campaign, clean government,” the organisation said.
