The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has proposed spending N126 billion for its 2025 budget.
The Commission Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the presentation in his defence of the 2024 budget execution before the National Assembly on Friday.
He urged the National Assembly to accept the 2025 budget, which is almost three times larger than the one passed the previous year.
“According to our 2025 plan, the Commission needs N126 billion. To ensure that we have sufficient funding for the duties we must fulfil—the majority of which are constitutional and not limited to the Electoral Act—we would appreciate the cooperation of the members of the National Assembly,” Prof. Yakubu stated.
He voiced concerns about Nigeria’s high election expenses, calling them cumbersome and excessive.
Despite being one of the biggest employers in the nation, the INEC boss pointed out that INEC only had N40 billion left over from its original N80 billion budget last year.
Prof. Yakubu underlined the financial burden on the commission’s ability to fulfil its duties efficiently.
He asked the lawmakers to arrange a retreat so that INEC and the legislature may work together, share ideas, and resolve urgent problems impacting Nigeria’s electoral process to overcome these difficulties.
He stated, “The commission cannot continue to conduct elections all year round; we need a major conversation.”
The INEC Chairman also bemoaned the state of INEC’s facilities, pointing out that eight hundred and sixty of them need immediate repair.
