A non-governmental organisation, ActionAid Nigeria, has called for the immediate impeachment of any state governor found to have diverted public funds for political campaign activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation raised concerns over reports alleging that some serving governors may have mobilised huge sums of money for political campaigns and political consolidation efforts, warning that such actions threaten democratic accountability and public trust.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, described the allegations as disturbing and unacceptable, especially amid worsening economic hardship across the country.
According to him, it is irresponsible for any public official to allegedly deploy state resources for political purposes while millions of Nigerians continue to struggle with poverty, inflation, insecurity and inadequate social services.
“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 that public resources are being diverted or deployed for political campaigns,” he said.
Mamedu further described such alleged practices as “outrageous, reckless, immoral, and completely unacceptable”, stressing that governors were elected to serve citizens and not to convert public funds into political war chests.
He maintained that taxpayer funds, state allocations, procurement systems, security votes, government assets and institutions should never be used to finance political ambitions or electoral activities.
The organisation demanded immediate clarification from governors and political actors allegedly linked to the reports, insisting that Nigerians deserve transparency regarding the source of the funds being used for political mobilisation.
“ActionAid Nigeria, therefore, demands an immediate public explanation from all governors and political actors allegedly linked to these reports,” the statement added.
“Nigerians deserve to know whether these funds came from legitimate private political fundraising or whether state resources were directly or indirectly used, leveraged, diverted, coordinated, or disguised for political purposes.”
The group also called on anti-corruption agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, as well as State Houses of Assembly, to commence immediate investigations into the allegations.
According to the organisation, the matter concerns public accountability, democratic integrity and the protection of resources meant for citizens’ welfare.
Mamedu said any governor found guilty of diverting public funds for partisan political activities should face impeachment, prosecution and other legal sanctions.
“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,” he stated.
He added that penalties should include the recovery of diverted funds, removal from office and disqualification from holding public positions in the future.
The ActionAid director warned that unchecked misuse of public resources ahead of the 2027 elections could undermine the democratic process and create unfair advantages for incumbents over other political contenders.
While acknowledging that political parties have the right to organise campaigns and raise legitimate funds, he insisted that state resources must never be involved in partisan activities.
Mamedu also pointed to countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Germany and South Africa as examples where strict oversight mechanisms exist to prevent abuse of public office for political advantage.
He urged Nigerians, civil society organisations and whistleblowers to remain vigilant and actively monitor the use of public resources as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, the defence of democracy should not be left to institutions alone, adding that citizens must play active roles in safeguarding public governance and accountability.
The latest concerns come amid growing debates over fiscal accountability, campaign finance regulations and the use of state resources in Nigeria’s political system.
