The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, has said the commission needs full financial autonomy to function as a truly independent electoral body.
He made the statement on Thursday during the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), a book written by THISDAY Managing Director, Eniola Bello.
Amupitan said relying on the regular budget approval process limits the commission’s independence and could affect its ability to carry out its constitutional responsibilities effectively, especially as preparations continue for the 2027 general elections.
He explained that although INEC plays a central role in organising elections, the responsibility for ensuring credible polls does not rest on the commission alone.
According to him, political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and the Nigerian public all have important roles to play in ensuring free, fair and credible elections.
The INEC chairman maintained that granting the commission financial independence is necessary for strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions. He noted that while the Constitution provides that INEC should be funded from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the commission still goes through the normal budget and appropriation process before receiving its funds.
Amupitan said this arrangement falls short of giving the electoral body the level of independence expected of an institution responsible for conducting elections.
He maintained that ensuring direct and independent access to its funding would improve the commission’s operations and support efforts to deliver credible elections in 2027.