By Danjuma Amodu
Human rights and anti-poverty organisation ActionAid Nigeria has called for the immediate impeachment of any governor found to have used state resources to fund political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The demand was made on Tuesday in Abuja by Country Director Andrew Mamedu, following growing public concern over the alleged movement of large sums of money by some political actors for campaign-related activities.
ActionAid Nigeria said the allegations raise serious questions about the source of funds being deployed for political mobilisation and consolidation of power ahead of the next election cycle.
Mamedu described the reports as disturbing and unacceptable, particularly at a time when millions of Nigerians face economic hardship, rising inflation, insecurity, unemployment and worsening living conditions. He said it would amount to a grave abuse of public trust if resources meant for governance and development were diverted for partisan purposes.
“Any governor who diverts public resources for political campaigns has violated public trust and abused the mandate given to them by citizens. Such individuals should not remain in office.”
— Andrew Mamedu, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria
“It is appalling that at a time when Nigeria is drowning in debt, workers are struggling with the rising cost of living, public hospitals are underfunded, schools are collapsing, insecurity is spreading, and millions of Nigerians are battling hunger and extreme economic hardship, that any suggestion of public resources are being diverted or deployed for political campaigns,” he stated.
The organisation stressed that governors were elected to serve the people, not to convert state resources into “political war chests.” It challenged governors and political actors linked to the claims to publicly explain the source of funds used for political activities, insisting that Nigerians deserve transparency and accountability.
ActionAid urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and State Houses of Assembly to commence immediate investigations. Any governor found culpable should face impeachment, prosecution and the recovery of diverted funds, the group said.
He warned that unchecked misuse of public resources could weaken democratic institutions and give incumbents an unfair advantage over other contestants. While political parties have the right to organise campaigns and raise lawful support, he added, such activities must not involve public funds, government assets or state institutions.
ActionAid cited the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany and South Africa as examples of countries with strict accountability measures to prevent incumbents from using state resources for partisan activities. It called on citizens, civil society groups, journalists, whistleblowers and anti-corruption advocates to remain vigilant and expose any suspicious use of public resources ahead of the 2027 elections.
The organisation maintained that safeguarding democracy and protecting public resources must remain a collective responsibility of both institutions and citizens.
