The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has called for increased and sustained funding for the commission ahead of the upcoming general election.
revealing that the cost of conducting governorship elections alone is higher than the combined cost of presidential and National Assembly elections.
Prof. Amupitan made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Shehu, in Abuja.
He revealed that the cost of conducting governorship elections alone is higher than the combined cost of presidential and National Assembly elections.
According to a statement published in INEC’s daily bulletin, the commission’s constitutional responsibilities extend beyond conducting elections for the President, Vice President, National Assembly, governors, state Houses of Assembly, and the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory. INEC is also responsible for continuous voter registration and the registration of political parties.
The INEC chairman noted that the commission also shoulders the financial burden of pre-election and post-election activities, including election petitions arising from party primaries.
He explained that INEC operates offices in the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and all 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government currently funding the commission’s nationwide operations.
Amupitan stressed the need for improved welfare packages for INEC staff, saying competitive remuneration is essential for retaining experienced personnel and maintaining institutional efficiency.
He disclosed that the commission has recently lost skilled employees to migration due to inadequate remuneration, warning that the situation could worsen as more experienced staff approach retirement.
The INEC chairman also called for increased funding for infrastructure, electoral technology, and personnel training, describing these investments as critical to preserving institutional knowledge and enhancing the commission’s capacity to deliver credible elections.
He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, transparent, and credible elections, adding that the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections will be held on February 6, 2027.
Amupitan further announced that the commission will conduct the Osun State off-cycle governorship election on August 15, 2026. He added that the recent governorship election in Ekiti State and bye-elections conducted in other states received commendation from both local and international observers.
Responding, the RMAFC Chairman commended INEC for consistently conducting elections since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 and pledged the commission’s support towards ensuring credible elections in 2027.
Shehu acknowledged the enormous responsibilities placed on INEC across the federal, state, and local government levels, noting that its extensive nationwide presence requires substantial operational resources.
He assured the INEC chairman that the RMAFC would continue to engage and collaborate with the electoral commission in support of its constitutional mandate.