The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has appealed for increased and sustained funding ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying governorship elections alone cost more than the combined expenses of the 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, describing the meeting as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between both federal agencies.
According to INEC’s daily bulletin, the commission’s constitutional responsibilities include conducting elections for the offices of the President, Vice President, members of the National Assembly, state governors, state Houses of Assembly and Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory. INEC is also responsible for continuous voter registration and the registration of political parties.
Amupitan noted that the commission also finances activities related to elections, including pre-election and post-election matters as well as petitions arising from party primaries.
He explained that INEC operates 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.
The INEC chairman also called for better welfare packages for staff, saying improved remuneration is necessary to retain experienced personnel and maintain the commission’s effectiveness.
He revealed that the commission has lost some skilled workers to migration, partly due to inadequate pay, and warned that the situation could worsen as more experienced staff approach retirement. According to him, improving staff welfare would enhance morale and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
Amupitan further appealed for greater investment in infrastructure, electoral technology and staff training, describing them as essential to preserving institutional capacity and ensuring efficient election management.
He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, transparent and credible elections, announcing that the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
He also disclosed that the commission will conduct the Osun State off-cycle governorship election on August 15, 2026, adding that INEC’s recent governorship election in Ekiti State and several bye-elections had received praise both within Nigeria and internationally.
In his response, Dr Mohammed Shehu commended INEC for consistently conducting elections since 1999 and pledged RMAFC’s continued support to help the commission deliver credible elections in 2027.
Shehu acknowledged the scale of INEC’s responsibilities across the country, describing its nationwide operations as demanding. He assured the electoral body of RMAFC’s willingness to continue working closely with the commission in support of its constitutional mandate.
