The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has firmly declined the N40 billion allocation proposed for it in the 2025 budget, instead insisting on a more realistic sum of N126 billion to meet its operational needs.
This proposal was presented during a budget defense session with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, highlighted the financial strain involved in organizing elections across Nigeria.
Speaking before the committee, chaired by Senator Sarafadeen Alli (APC, Oyo South), Yakubu explained that the electoral body requires significantly higher funding to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities.
“Our proposal for the 2025 budget, the 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 126 billion.
“We would like the support of the National Assembly to enable us to achieve our responsibilities in the first line charge and most of these responsibilities are constitutional.
“In a nutshell, the N40billion budget envelope given us for 2025 will not cover 1/3 of projected expenses which totally amounts to over N126billion.
“Aside 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 N40billion budgetary envelope”, he said.
