Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has raised serious concerns over the management of public funds by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing the 2022 Auditor-General of the Federation's report, which uncovered massive procurement and financial irregularities. The audit findings, which SERAP has brought to public attention, reveal a troubling pattern of financial recklessness that threatens the integrity of Nigeria's electoral process.
According to the audit report, INEC awarded contracts worth N41,312,066,801 without following due process. The contracts, which were for printing ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials, were allegedly awarded to companies without proof of eligibility, some of which were not even in the printing business. The Auditor-General noted that INEC failed to provide evidence that the contractors were qualified, such as tax clearance certificates or pension compliance documents. This breach of procurement regulations raises questions about the transparency and accountability of INEC's contracting processes.
The audit also revealed that INEC irregularly paid over N9.817 billion. This includes a specific irregular payment of over N5.3 billion to a contractor for the supply of smart card readers for the 2019 general elections, a payment made without the required approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement or the Federal Executive Council. The Auditor-General expressed concern that these funds may have been diverted.
Further compounding the financial mismanagement, INEC failed to deduct over N2.193 billion in taxes from payments to several beneficiaries. The Auditor-General also noted that INEC failed to deduct and remit over N2.1 billion in stamp duties from contractors between 2018 and 2019, dismissing the commission's explanation as unsatisfactory. This failure to remit taxes and duties represents a significant loss of revenue to the government.
Additionally, the audit found that INEC failed to retire over N630.6 million in cash advances granted to some officers of the commission. This suggests a lack of proper financial controls and oversight within the commission.
SERAP has reiterated that these findings require prompt, transparent, and effective investigation. The organisation has also filed a lawsuit against INEC over the alleged mismanagement of N55.9 billion meant for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, and other election materials for the 2019 general elections. SERAP argues that INEC has a special responsibility to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability, particularly in the management of public funds entrusted to it.
The Auditor-General's report also flagged a total of N288.18 billion in financial irregularities in INEC's accounts for the 2022 financial year. The report recommended that the INEC Chairman appear before the National Assembly's Public Accounts Committees and that irregular payments be recovered.
INEC has responded to some of the audit queries, but the commission's explanations have been deemed unsatisfactory by the Auditor-General. The commission has previously stated that it followed due process in its procurement activities, but the audit findings suggest otherwise.
SERAP's exposure of these audit findings is a significant step towards holding INEC accountable for the management of public funds. The organisation has vowed to continue highlighting significant findings from the Auditor-General's report. As Nigeria prepares for future elections, the integrity of the electoral commission and its financial management are crucial to maintaining public trust in the democratic process. The revelations of N41 billion in contracts without due process, N9.8 billion in irregular payments, and the failure to deduct over N2 billion in taxes paint a grim picture of financial mismanagement at INEC. The question now is whether the relevant authorities will take decisive action to address these irregularities and prevent them from recurring.
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