SERAP urges 2027 presidential candidates to publish assets, reject vote-buying
SERAP has called on all 19 presidential candidates announced by INEC for the 2027 election to publish details of their assets and liabilities, including those of their spouses and unmarried children under 18. In a statement dated August 9, 2026, Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare urged candidates to disclose the legitimate sources of their significant assets and to publicly reject vote-buying and electoral bribery before and during the election. SERAP asked them to go beyond the legal minimum and adopt higher standards of transparency, accountability, and integrity when seeking Nigeria’s highest office.
The organization argues that candidates asking Nigerians to entrust them with constitutional powers over public finances, natural resources, appointments, and security institutions should first demonstrate that their personal financial affairs can withstand public scrutiny. SERAP emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy belongs to its citizens, votes must not be bought, and public office must not be treated as private property.
This call comes amid growing concerns about money in politics and aims to strengthen accountability ahead of the 2027 polls. Candidates have not yet responded publicly to the request.
Will the 2027 aspirants heed SERAP’s push for asset transparency and clean campaigning, or will they treat the demand as another election-season statement with little practical effect?