The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to all 36 state governors in Nigeria, demanding full disclosure of how billions in security votes have been spent since 29 May 2023.
In the letter dated 28 June 2025 and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation urged governors to invite both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly investigate, monitor, and report on the use of these controversial funds.
SERAP’s move comes amid intensifying insecurity across multiple states, including the recent Benue massacre, which has spotlighted the misuse of public resources and the failure of leaders to ensure safety for vulnerable citizens.
“Despite billions allocated annually for security votes, many governors are failing in their constitutional duty to safeguard life and property,” SERAP said.
The group insists the Nigerian Constitution imposes a clear obligation on state governors to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, particularly security votes. Sections 14(2)(b), 15(5), and 13 of the Constitution are cited as legally binding responsibilities requiring state governments to promote security, eliminate corruption, and uphold the public interest.
In a strong rebuke, SERAP reminded governors that the Supreme Court has declared the Freedom of Information Act applicable to states, eliminating long-standing claims that governors are exempt from the law. SERAP argues that citizens have the constitutional right to know how their money is spent.
“Secrecy over security vote spending has enabled large-scale looting and undermined efforts to hold leaders accountable,” the organisation noted.
It warned that failure to respond within seven days would prompt legal action in the public interest.
Security votes controversial, largely unaccounted funds allocated to governors—totalled over ₦375 billion in 2021 alone. SERAP maintains these should not be treated as personal entitlements, but rather used solely for bolstering security or returned to public coffers.
The letter also references a recent World Bank classification of Nigeria as an “economy in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS),” citing insecurity as a key driver of poverty, hunger, and failing public services.
“Governors can no longer dodge scrutiny,” said Oluwadare. “Nigerians deserve to know how their money is spent especially when lives are at stake.”
As pressure mounts, SERAP is calling for a new era of openness, insisting that governors must embrace accountability or be forced to do so by the courts.
