The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has appealed for increased and sustained funding to enable the electoral body prepare effectively for the 2027 general elections.
Prof. Amupitan made the request on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja.
He said stronger collaboration between both institutions was essential to strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
The INEC chairman explained that the commission’s responsibilities extend beyond conducting presidential and governorship elections.
According to him, INEC also manages continuous voter registration, political party registration, and election-related legal processes.
He disclosed that governorship elections are more expensive to conduct than the combined presidential and National Assembly polls because of the extensive logistics involved.
He also noted that the commission shoulders the cost of pre-election disputes and post-election litigation arising from party primaries.
Prof. Amupitan said INEC maintains offices in all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the country’s 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government funding the commission’s nationwide operations.
He stressed the need for improved welfare packages for INEC staff, warning that inadequate remuneration has contributed to the loss of experienced personnel through migration.
He added that many senior officials are approaching retirement, creating the risk of a widening skills gap unless staff welfare improves.
The INEC chairman also called for greater investment in infrastructure, election technology and personnel training, saying these remain critical to delivering credible elections and preserving institutional knowledge.
He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to free, fair and transparent elections, announcing that the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for 16 January 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will take place on 6 February 2027. He also confirmed that the Osun governorship election will hold on 15 August 2026.
Responding, RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, praised INEC’s record of conducting elections since 1999 and pledged the commission’s support to ensure the successful delivery of credible polls in 2027.
He assured the electoral body that RMAFC would continue to engage with INEC in support of its constitutional responsibilities.