.Gives 14-day ultimatum for rectification
A Legal practitioner, Femi Emodamori, has called out the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its alleged failure to enforce publication of audited financial statements by political parties in the country.
In a letter addressed to INEC National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday, and made available to The Guardian, Emodamori demanded certified true copies of audited yearly financial statements of all political parties.
Citing constitutional provisions, the lawyer noted that the electoral umpire had allegedly neglected its crucial responsibility of overseeing and directing publication of audited accounts and expenses of political parties as outlined in Section 225 (1)–(2) and Paragraph 15(d) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Section 89(3)–(6) of the Electoral Act.
While issuing a 14-day ultimatum to INEC for compliance with the relevant sections, the attorney urged the election management body to swiftly rectify the situation by publishing the audited accounts of political parties for 2022.
He emphasised transparency in political financing, stating that publication of audited accounts would enhance accountability and check corrupt practices within political parties.
By making the financial records accessible to the public, the counsel added that voters would have greater insight into fiscal activities of political parties, including their sources of funding and expenditure.
The letter reads in part: “The poser that begs for an answer is, where are the 2023 election-related accounts of other political parties, including those mouthing transparency and accountability?
“I am aware that only one Omoyele Sowore, the presidential aspirant (candidate) of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the last presidential election, published the incomes and expenses relating to his presidential ambition, although not strictly in accordance with the laws cited above.
“We must begin to seriously interrogate party financing, patronage, and godfatherism in Nigeria if we are truly serious about fighting corruption and deepening political inclusivity, particularly amongst the youths. I am not and have never been a politician. But the task of building our nation is too serious to be left to politicians alone.”
