The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has appealed to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for increased and sustained funding to strengthen the Commission’s operations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Prof. Amupitan made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of RMAFC, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja on Tuesday, describing the meeting as part of efforts to deepen collaboration between the two federal institutions.
The INEC Chairman said adequate and consistent funding is critical to enabling the Commission to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities, which include conducting elections for the President, Vice President, National Assembly, State Governors, State Houses of Assembly and the Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, as well as continuous voter registration and the registration of political parties.
He disclosed that the cost of conducting governorship elections alone exceeds the combined cost of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, noting that INEC also bears the financial burden of pre-election and post-election activities, including election petitions arising from party primaries.
Prof. Amupitan further 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 currently funding the Commission’s nationwide operations.
He also called for improved welfare packages for INEC staff, stressing that competitive remuneration is essential to retaining experienced personnel and maintaining institutional efficiency.
According to him, the Commission has recently lost some skilled employees to migration due to inadequate remuneration, warning that the situation could worsen as more experienced staff approach retirement, creating a widening skills gap.
The INEC Chairman urged increased investment in infrastructure, electoral technology and personnel training, describing them as vital to preserving institutional knowledge and strengthening the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to credible elections, Prof. Amupitan said INEC remains focused on delivering free, fair, transparent and credible polls.
He announced that the Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for 16 January 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will be held on 6 February 2027.
He also disclosed that the Commission will conduct the Osun State off-cycle governorship election on 15 August 2026, adding that the recently concluded Ekiti governorship election and several bye-elections had received commendation from both local and international observers.
Responding, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, commended INEC for its consistency in conducting elections since 1999 and pledged the Commission’s support towards ensuring successful and credible elections in 2027.
Dr. Shehu acknowledged the enormous scope of INEC’s constitutional responsibilities across the federal, state and local government levels, noting that the Commission’s nationwide operations require substantial financial resources.
He assured the INEC Chairman that RMAFC remains committed to continued collaboration and constructive engagement to support the electoral body’s mandate of delivering credible elections across the country.
The INEC delegation included National Commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, technical aides and directors, while the RMAFC Chairman received the team alongside the Commission’s Vice Chairman, Commissioners and senior directors.
