How Yakubu gets NASS buy-in for N86bn increase in INEC’s budget
…laments financial burden of conducting bye- elections
By Tunde Opalana
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, after presenting a compelling case for an increased budgetary allocation got the nodding of the National Assembly for additional N86 billion for the 2025 fiscal year.
As against the N40 billion budgetary envelope for the Commission in the 2025 appropriation bill, the chairman pleaded that INEC will need N126 billion to facilitate its operations and strengthen electoral processes in 2025.
Prof. Yakubu alongside national commissioners and top management team appeared before the joint committee on INEC and Electoral Matters of the National Assembly in Friday to defend the 2025 budget.
While presenting the 2024 budget performance before the joint committee chaired by Senator Sarafadeen Alli ( APC Oyo South), said elections in Nigeria, Yakubu lamented the financial challenges INEC faces in conducting elections and fulfilling its constitutional mandate.
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Highlighting the financial constraints from the 2024 fiscal year, Prof. Yakubu explained that INEC was allocated N40 billion, an amount insufficient to cover anything beyond personnel costs and social contributions.
He detailed how this allocation left critical activities unfunded, such as the resumption of Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and voter redistribution to polling units. “While we received all the funds allocated for 2024, the N40 billion was only enough to pay consolidated salaries, allowances, and statutory social contributions. Unfortunately, many operational activities had to be shelved,” he stated.
Prof. Yakubu added that the Commission had to approach the Executive for supplementary funding of N10.5 billion, primarily to conduct the Edo and Ondo governorship elections. However, this funding still fell short of the Commission’s operational requirements, leaving several by-elections unaddressed. “We’ve conducted nine of the required bye-elections, but as of today, 11 by-elections remain pending,” he noted
In the 2025 budget proposal, he revealed that the funding envelope provided by the Ministry of Finance remains unchanged at N40 billion—the same allocation as 2024.
This stagnation comes despite increased demands and rising operational costs.
“With a workforce of over 14,700 personnel, including 51 political officeholders, and the introduction of a new minimum wage, the N40 billion allocation cannot even cover personnel costs adequately.
“Our proposal for the 2025 budget, the provision requires the sum of over N126 billion.
” We have the document that has provided details line by line on how we intended to spend the 126 billion.
“We would like the support of the National to enable us to achieve our responsibilities in the first line charge and most of these responsibilities are constitutional.
” In a nutshell, the N40billion budget envelope given us for 2025 , will not cover 1/3 of projected expenses which totally amounts to over N126billion .
” Aside the off – cycle elections for 21 constituencies to be filled through bye – elections and the Anambra Governorship election this year , personnel cost alone on account of new minimum wage , will eat up the N40billion budgetary envelope”, he said .
Prof. Yakubu stressed that “the proposed budget is not just about conducting elections but ensuring that INEC’s role as an electoral commission is robustly supported. Our mandate extends beyond balloting to include voter registration, political party regulation, and constituency creation.”
To address the constraint of high cost of elections in Nigeria, the INEC Chairman proposed exploring sustainable funding mechanisms. He suggested that a percentage of the Federation Account allocation be dedicated to electoral activities, reducing the federal government’s exclusive burden. He also advocated for legislative reforms to streamline by-elections and minimize their financial and operational demands.
“We must find a more cost-effective way of dealing with elections,” Prof. Yakubu argued. He pointed to practices in other countries, such as the United States, where vacancies in legislative bodies are often filled by gubernatorial appointment rather than expensive by-elections.
Prof. Yakubu outlined key areas requiring immediate funding, such as Off-Cycle Elections: “Preparations for the Anambra governorship election, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, and Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory require significant financial input.
“Continuous Voter Registration (CVR): Resuming CVR at over 8,800 centers nationwide is essential to ensure that Nigerians who have come of age can register to vote.
“Replacement of Damaged Materials: The Commission must replace over 440 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, ballot boxes, and voting cubicles lost to attacks and fires during past electoral exercises. Despite insurance claims amounting to N205 million, the funds have been remitted to the federal treasury, leaving INEC to source replacement funds.
“Rehabilitation of Infrastructure: INEC manages over 860 facilities nationwide, including 774 local government offices and 37 state offices. Many require urgent rehabilitation.
$Preparations for 2027 General Elections: Early planning for the next general elections necessitates activities such as voter redistribution and procurement of essential materials.”
Apparently convinced by the proposal of INEC , members of the joint committee , one after the other , assured the electoral body that the proposed sum , shall be appropriated for , in the 2025 fiscal election .
