INEC rejects N40 billion allocation

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the proposed N40 billion budget allocation for 2025, demanding N126 billion to effectively fulfill its electoral duties.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this clear during a budget defense session with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters, chaired by Senator Sarafadeen Alli.

“Our financial requirements for 2025 amount to over N126 billion, with detailed allocations for each expenditure. The N40 billion currently proposed is grossly insufficient and cannot cover even a third of our projected needs,” Yakubu said.

He emphasized that rising personnel costs driven by the new minimum wage and preparations for off-cycle elections in 21 constituencies — including the pivotal Anambra governorship election — were key factors in the commission’s financial demands.

Yakubu referenced past funding interventions, including N10.5 billion for the Edo and Ondo elections in 2024 and an additional N500 million for various bye-elections, highlighting the importance of consistent and adequate funding for seamless electoral processes.

The lawmakers commended the commission’s detailed financial breakdown and pledged to push for the necessary funds. Senator Ireti Kingibe remarked, “The challenge is not approving N126 billion, but ensuring its timely release.”

The session concluded with a closed-door meeting to explore funding strategies, underscoring the growing financial complexities of managing elections in Nigeria. INEC’s push for increased funding reflects the need for a sustained commitment to strengthening the nation’s democratic framework.