By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the N40 billion allocated to it in the 2025 budget.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made the rejection during the budget defense session before a joint committee on INEC and Electoral Matters at the National Assembly on Friday.
Yakubu, speaking before the committee chaired by Senator Sarafadeen Alli (APC, Oyo South), emphasized that the scale of elections in Nigeria has become a significant financial burden that requires adequate funding.
He stated, “Our proposal for the 2025 budget is over N126 billion. We have detailed documents outlining how we intend to allocate this amount.”
The INEC Chairman added that the N40 billion proposed allocation for 2025 would not cover even a third of the projected expenses, which total over N126 billion. “Apart from the off-cycle elections for 21 constituencies and the Anambra governorship election, personnel costs due to the new minimum wage alone will consume the entire N40 billion,” Yakubu explained.
He further pointed out that the insufficient budget led to the electoral body receiving intervention funds of N10.5 billion for the Edo and Ondo elections in 2024, as well as an additional N500 million for bye-elections.
In response, members of the joint committee reassured the electoral body that the proposed amount would be considered and appropriated in the 2025 fiscal year budget.