The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), has appealed for increased and sustainable funding to enable the commission to effectively conduct the 2027 general elections, revealing that governorship elections are more expensive to organise than the combined presidential and National Assembly polls.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Shehu, in Abuja, Amupitan said the engagement was aimed at strengthening cooperation between both federal institutions.
He explained that INEC’s constitutional responsibilities extend beyond organising elections for the President, Vice President, National Assembly, governors, state assemblies and the Federal Capital Territory Area Councils. According to him, the commission also manages continuous voter registration, political party registration, as well as pre-election and post-election processes, including election petitions arising from party primaries.
Amupitan noted that INEC operates offices in all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the country’s 774 local government areas, with the Federal Government bearing the cost of maintaining the nationwide structure.
The INEC chairman stressed the need for better welfare packages for the commission’s workforce, warning that inadequate remuneration has contributed to the loss of experienced personnel to migration. He added that the situation could worsen as more senior staff approach retirement, creating a significant skills gap.
According to him, improving staff welfare would not only boost employee morale but also strengthen public confidence in the electoral process.
He also called for greater investment in infrastructure, electoral technology and continuous staff training, describing them as essential to preserving institutional knowledge and improving the commission’s operational efficiency.
Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair, transparent and credible elections across the country.
He announced that the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state House of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
The INEC chairman also disclosed that the commission will conduct the Osun State governorship election on August 15, 2026, adding that the recent governorship election in Ekiti State and several bye-elections had received positive reviews from both local and international observers.
Responding, RMAFC Chairman Dr. Mohammed Shehu commended INEC for its consistency in conducting elections since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.
He acknowledged the enormous responsibilities of the electoral body and assured the commission of RMAFC’s continued support and collaboration to ensure the successful conduct of credible elections in 2027.
The meeting was attended by INEC national commissioners, the Secretary to the Commission, technical advisers and directors, while the RMAFC chairman was joined by the commission’s vice chairman, commissioners and senior officials.
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