The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said the electoral body cannot operate as a truly independent institution without full financial autonomy, warning that its reliance on the regular budget approval process weakens its independence ahead 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 stressed that credible elections depend on an electoral commission that is free from financial constraints imposed by other government institutions.
He argued that while the Nigerian Constitution provides that INEC’s funding should come from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the commission still depends on the annual appropriation process for the release of funds.
According to him, this arrangement limits the commission’s operational independence.
“If Nigeria is committed to strengthening its democratic institutions and conducting free, fair and credible elections, then INEC must enjoy genuine financial autonomy,” Amupitan said.
He explained that the commission’s responsibilities extend beyond conducting presidential and governorship elections. These include voter registration, political party registration and monitoring, maintaining the national voter register, and supporting aspects of local government elections.
Given these extensive responsibilities, he maintained that granting INEC greater financial and operational independence would improve efficiency and boost public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Amupitan also noted that credible elections are not the sole responsibility of INEC, emphasizing that political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and citizens all play critical roles in ensuring successful elections.
He said the strength of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the effectiveness of these institutions working together.
Drawing from international democratic principles, the INEC chairman recalled that the Inter-Parliamentary Council had long recognised democracy as a shared responsibility between governments, political actors and citizens.
He therefore urged all stakeholders to collaborate in ensuring that the 2027 general elections are peaceful, transparent and credible.
On the appointment of INEC officials, Amupitan stated that the Constitution already provides safeguards by 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 real challenge often 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 challenges stem more from failure to faithfully implement the Constitution and the Electoral Act than from deficiencies in the laws themselves.
Amupitan also described Bello’s two-volume publication as an important contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development, noting that the work documents the country’s political journey from 1999 to 2023 and offers valuable lessons as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.
He added that every electoral cycle provides an opportunity for improvement and institutional strengthening.
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