The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the ₦40 billion allocated to it in the 2025 budget, proposing instead a budget of ₦126 billion.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this request during a budget defense session before the joint committee of the National Assembly chaired by Senator Sarafadeen Alli (APC, Oyo South).
Professor Yakubu emphasized that elections in Nigeria have become a significant burden requiring adequate funding.
He stated, “Our proposal for the 2025 budget requires the provision of over ₦126 billion. We have detailed documentation outlining how we intend to allocate this amount.”
He added that the ₦40 billion allocation would cover less than one-third of the projected expenses, which total over ₦126 billion.
The INEC Chairman highlighted that aside from off-cycle elections for 21 constituencies and the Anambra governorship election, personnel costs alone, due to the new minimum wage, would consume the entire ₦40 billion budget.
He also mentioned that the inadequacy of the ₦40 billion budget envelope led INEC to seek intervention funds of ₦10.5 billion for the Edo and Ondo elections in 2024, and another ₦500 million for bye-elections in affected constituencies.
Members of the joint committee assured INEC that the proposed sum would be appropriated in the 2025 fiscal budget.
Senator Ireti Kingibe (LP, FCT) remarked, “The situation at hand is not about looking for the ₦126 billion for INEC in the 2025 fiscal year but providing it.”
Get instant and latest news updates via Our WhatsApp Community, X/Twitter or Google News online channel.