The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to the 36 state governors of Nigeria, demanding full disclosure and accountability on how public funds labeled as “security votes” have been spent in their respective states since 29 May 2023.
In the FOI letters dated 28 June 2025 and signed by the organisation’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP called on the governors to urgently invite anti-graft agencies—the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)—to jointly investigate, track, and monitor the management of security votes.
SERAP emphasized that transparency around these funds is crucial, especially in the wake of widespread insecurity and tragic events such as the recent Benue massacre.
The group noted that despite the allocation of billions of naira to security votes annually, many state governments continue to fail in ensuring the safety and welfare of their citizens.
“The escalating insecurity across various states is having a devastating impact on vulnerable Nigerians, intensifying poverty, hunger, and leading to gross human rights violations,” SERAP said.
“The framers of the Nigerian Constitution did not envisage opaque spending of public funds under the guise of security.”
Citing Sections 13, 14(2)(b), and 15(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), SERAP argued that state governors are constitutionally bound to ensure both the security and welfare of the people while abolishing corrupt practices and misuse of office.
“Yet, many governors treat security votes as personal funds, without transparency, oversight, or measurable outcomes.”
In 2021 alone, state governors and local government chairmen reportedly collected over ₦375 billion as security votes, according to SERAP.
The organization insists that the Nigerian people have a constitutional right to know how such vast amounts are spent—especially given the growing insecurity, food scarcity, and social breakdown in many regions.
While acknowledging that operational secrecy may apply to certain sensitive aspects of national security, SERAP maintained that there is no legal basis for withholding basic information on public spending from citizens.
The FOI Act, the group stressed, applies to all states following a landmark Supreme Court judgment.
“With that ruling, governors can no longer hide behind the claim that the FOI Act does not apply to them,” the letter stated.
“Any refusal to disclose how security votes are being spent will amount to a blatant violation of this judgment and a betrayal of public trust.”
SERAP also referenced a recent World Bank classification of Nigeria as an “economy in fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS)”, grouping the country alongside others like Afghanistan, Mali, and Sudan.
According to the World Bank, insecurity is a major driver of extreme poverty in Nigeria, contributing to severe gaps in education, health care, and development outcomes.
In closing, SERAP warned that it would pursue legal action against any state government that fails to respond to the FOI request within seven days of receipt or public notice.
“Security votes should not be treated as a governor’s entitlement. They must be transparently managed or returned to the public treasury,” the organization concluded.
The FOI request marks yet another bold step by SERAP in its ongoing campaign to hold Nigerian public officials accountable and ensure public funds serve the people, not private interests.
