By Stella Odueme
ActionAid Nigeria has called for an immediate investigation into allegations that some serving governors may have deployed state resources to finance political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a press statement issued in Abuja, the organization expressed concern over reports suggesting that large sums of money may have been mobilized by certain governors for political activities, raising questions about the source of the funds.
Speaking on behalf of the organization, Dr. Andrew Mamedu described the allegations as disturbing, particularly at a time when the country is facing economic hardship, rising debt, insecurity, and deteriorating public services.
According to him, it would be unacceptable for public office holders to divert taxpayer funds, state allocations, government assets, or public institutions for partisan political purposes. He stressed that governors were elected to serve citizens and not to convert state resources into campaign funds.
ActionAid Nigeria demanded that all governors and political actors linked to the allegations provide a public explanation on whether the funds were raised through legitimate private channels or sourced directly or indirectly from public resources.
The organization also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and state Houses of Assembly to launch an independent and transparent investigation into the allegations.
Mamedu said any governor found guilty of misusing state resources for political campaigns should face impeachment, prosecution, recovery of diverted funds, and disqualification from holding public office in the future.
He warned that the allegations could signal a broader pattern of abuse of incumbency powers ahead of the 2027 elections, potentially undermining democratic institutions and creating an unfair advantage for office holders over other contestants.
ActionAid Nigeria further noted that while political parties are entitled to organize campaigns and raise private support, such activities must not involve public funds or state institutions. It added that political meetings, negotiations, and campaign mobilization by public office holders should be financed through lawful personal or party resources, not government coffers.
The group urged Nigerians, including those in the diaspora, to remain vigilant and report any evidence of misuse of public resources for political activities, emphasizing that the protection of democracy and public accountability requires active citizen participation.
