The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the N40 billion allocated to it in the 2025 budget,Daily Trust reports.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, expressed his dissatisfaction during a budget defense session before a joint committee on INEC and Electoral Matters at the National Assembly on Friday.
In his presentation, Prof. Yakubu emphasized that conducting elections in Nigeria is an enormous financial burden requiring substantial funding. He explained, “Our proposal for the 2025 budget amounts to over N126 billion. We have provided detailed documentation outlining how we plan to allocate the funds. We seek the National Assembly’s support to fulfill our constitutional responsibilities, many of which are critical and unavoidable.”
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He further stated, “The N40 billion allocated for 2025 is insufficient, covering less than one-third of our projected expenses, which exceed N126 billion. Aside from off-cycle elections in 21 constituencies and the Anambra governorship election, personnel costs due to the new minimum wage alone will consume the entire N40 billion allocation.”
Prof. Yakubu highlighted past funding challenges, noting that INEC had to secure N10.5 billion in intervention funds for the Edo and Ondo elections in 2024, as well as N500 million for bye-elections in affected constituencies.
In response, members of the joint committee, led by Senator Sarafadeen Alli (APC, Oyo South), assured INEC of their commitment to appropriating the requested amount in the 2025 budget.
