# SERAP electoral transparency advocacy in Nigeria

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/serap-electoral-transparency-advocacy-in-nigeria
> Updated: 2026-08-16T10:26:25.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 2.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) continues to advocate for transparency in Nigeria’s electoral processes, focusing on both the 2026 Osun State governorship election and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

In August 2026, SERAP issued an open letter to the 19 presidential candidates recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 election. The organization urged candidates to voluntarily publish detailed accounts of their assets and liabilities, including those of their spouses and minor children, to allow voters to assess potential conflicts of interest. SERAP further demanded that candidates disclose the legitimate sources of their wealth and publicly reject all forms of vote-buying.

Regarding the 2026 Osun State governorship election, SERAP petitioned INEC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate alleged irregularities. While INEC declared incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke the winner with 511,067 votes, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, observers documented 323 electoral offences, including 103 cases of vote trading. SERAP called for a joint investigation into reports of financial inducement and violence, requesting the preservation of banking, telecommunications, and CCTV data.

As 2027 election preparations advance, SERAP has submitted a Freedom of Information request to INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan. The request seeks disclosure of political contribution limits under the Electoral Act, 2026, and details regarding systems used to monitor campaign expenditures, including digital financing and third-party donations.

## Claims

- SERAP has petitioned INEC, EFCC, and ICPC to investigate alleged electoral offences in the Osun State governorship election. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- SERAP requested the preservation of banking records, telecommunications data, and CCTV footage for investigation. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- INEC declared Ademola Adeleke the winner of the Osun State governorship election. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Ademola Adeleke received 511,067 votes. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Bola Oyebamiji received 444,815 votes. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Observers documented 323 electoral offences and irregularities across 726 polling units. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Documented offences included 103 cases of vote trading and 85 cases of ballot paper exposure. (single source)
- Police arrested 295 suspects during the Osun election, with two remaining in custody for prosecution. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-16: Osun State election: SERAP calls for probe into vote-buying and violence

SERAP has called on Nigerian agencies to investigate alleged vote-buying and violence in the Osun State governorship election, following Ademola Adeleke's declared victory.

15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serap-seeks-probe-into-alleged-vote-buying-in-osun-election

### 2026-08-09: SERAP urges 2027 presidential candidates to declare assets

SERAP has urged 19 presidential candidates for Nigeria’s 2027 election to publicly declare their assets, liabilities, and sources of wealth to ensure transparency and reject vote-buying.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/serap-demands-asset-disclosure-from-nigerian-presidential-candidates

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Cite as: SERAP electoral transparency advocacy in Nigeria. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/serap-electoral-transparency-advocacy-in-nigeria