In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday by its deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP warned that the President’s recent declaration of a national emergency on security will achieve little without accountability for the billions of naira allocated to governors ostensibly to fight insecurity.

Citing a Transparency International report, SERAP disclosed that security votes across the 36 states total an estimated N241.2 billion annually, with most of the money allegedly spent on political activities, mismanaged, or outright stolen. 

The group also noted that several states receive millions of dollars in international security assistance.

“The pervasive treatment of security votes as personal funds by governors is a direct violation of the Nigerian Constitution and international standards,” SERAP said, quoting Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution which makes the security and welfare of citizens the primary purpose of government.

While acknowledging that sitting governors enjoy constitutional immunity from prosecution, SERAP stressed that they have no immunity from investigation. 

The organisation urged President Tinubu to ensure thorough probes, with findings capable of triggering impeachment proceedings where evidence of gross misconduct is established.

“With abductions, killings, and banditry escalating across the country, holding governors accountable for security votes and recovering stolen funds has become an urgent national imperative,” SERAP concluded.