The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called for greater financial autonomy for the electoral body, warning that its continued dependence on the government’s budgetary process could weaken its independence and affect the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), a book written by THISDAY Managing Director, Eniola Bello, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Amupitan said genuine electoral independence cannot be achieved without financial freedom.
He argued that while the Constitution provides for INEC’s funding through the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the commission’s reliance on the annual appropriation process and approvals from other government institutions limits its operational independence.
“If we are serious about strengthening our institutions and conducting free, fair and credible elections, then financial autonomy is essential,” Amupitan said.
According to him, the constitutional funding arrangement has not translated into full financial independence because INEC must still navigate the normal budget approval process before accessing its funds.
Amupitan noted that the commission’s responsibilities extend beyond conducting presidential and governorship elections. He said INEC also registers voters and political parties, monitors political party activities, maintains the national voter register and provides support for local government elections in certain areas.
He maintained that expanding the commission’s financial and operational autonomy would improve efficiency and enhance public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The INEC chairman also stressed that credible elections require the active participation of multiple institutions, including political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and the electorate, rather than placing the burden solely on the electoral commission.
“When we talk about strengthening institutions, people often think only of INEC. But the media, security agencies, civil society organisations and the Nigerian people all have critical roles to play. The strength of our democracy depends on the effectiveness of this broader institutional framework,” he said.
Drawing from international democratic principles, Amupitan recalled that the Inter-Parliamentary Council recognises democratic governance as a shared responsibility among governments, voters and political actors.
He urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the 2027 elections are peaceful, transparent and credible.
On concerns surrounding the appointment of INEC officials, Amupitan said the Constitution already contains safeguards requiring the President to appoint the INEC chairman and national commissioners in consultation with the Council of State and subject to Senate confirmation.
However, he argued that the greater challenge lies in the implementation of existing laws rather than the legal framework itself.
Quoting former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, he said Nigeria’s democratic progress depends more on faithfully implementing the Constitution and the Electoral Act than introducing new constitutional provisions.
Amupitan also described Bello’s two-volume publication as an important contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development, noting that the more than 900-page work chronicles the country’s political journey from the return to civilian rule in 1999 through 2023 and offers valuable insights as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections.
He added that each election cycle presents an opportunity to strengthen the country’s democratic institutions and improve future electoral processes.
