Nigerian Electoral Umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the N40 billion earmarked for it in the 2025 budget, noting that elections in Nigeria have become a huge burden requiring adequate funding.
Prof Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Commission rejected the estimate during budget defense before the joint committee chaired by Senator Sarafadeen Alli (APC, Oyo South) on INEC and Electoral Matters, at the National Assembly on Friday.
“Our proposal for the 2025 budget provision requires the sum of over N126 billion. We have the document that has provided details line by line on how we intended to spend the N126 billion.
“We would like the support of the National to enable us to achieve our responsibilities in the first line charge and most of these responsibilities are constitutional.
“In a nutshell, the N40 billion budget envelope given us for 2025 will not cover 1/3 of projected expenses which amounts to over N126 billion.
“Aside from the off-cycle elections for 21 constituencies to be filled through bye-elections and the Anambra governorship election this year, personnel cost alone on account of the new minimum wage will eat up the N40 billion budgetary envelopes,” he said.
INEC Chairman added that the inadequacy of the budget made the electoral body get intervention funds of N10.5 billion for the Edo and Ondo elections in 2024 and another N500 million for bye-elections in affected constituencies in 2024.
In their separate responses, members of the joint committee one after the other, assured the electoral body that the proposed sum would be appropriated in the budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
Senator Ireti Kingibe (LP FCT) said “The situation at hand is not about looking for the N126 billion for INEC in the 2025 fiscal year but providing it”.
The joint committee thereafter went into a closed door session with the INEC Chairman and the Federal Commissioners on how to source for the fund and appropriate it in the 2025 budget.
- Post-Election Unrest: Bamendjou Ruler Urges For Restraint - October 30, 2025
- Federal Government Pays Universities N2.3bn As Salary Arrears - October 30, 2025
- Lamido Denies Chairmanship Form At PDP HQ, Threatens Court Action - October 27, 2025