The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has declared that the electoral body cannot function as a truly independent institution without full financial autonomy, warning that continued dependence on the annual budgetary process could undermine preparations for free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
Amupitan said although the Constitution provides that INEC’s funding should come from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the commission still depends on the normal appropriation process and budgetary approvals by other arms of government, a situation he argued weakens its operational independence.
The INEC chairman made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), a two-volume book written by the Managing Director of THISDAY Newspapers, Eniola Bello, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
His intervention comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general election and amid renewed public debate over the reforms required to restore confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process following controversies that trailed recent elections.
“Can INEC truly be independent without financial autonomy? If we are serious about strengthening our institutions and conducting free, fair and credible elections, then financial autonomy is essential,” Amupitan said.
He noted that while many Nigerians assume the constitutional provision placing the commission’s funding on the Consolidated Revenue Fund is sufficient to guarantee its independence, experience has shown otherwise.
“The Constitution places INEC’s funding on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and many believe that is sufficient. However, experience has shown that as long as INEC remains subject to the normal appropriation process and depends on budgetary approvals by other institutions, genuine financial independence remains difficult,” he stated.
According to him, granting INEC greater financial and operational autonomy would improve efficiency, strengthen institutional independence and enhance public confidence in the electoral process.
Amupitan stressed that the commission’s responsibilities extend far beyond organising presidential and governorship elections, noting that INEC also conducts National Assembly and state assembly elections, registers voters and political parties, monitors political parties and maintains the national voters’ register.
He argued that these wide-ranging constitutional responsibilities justify stronger institutional safeguards to enable the commission discharge its mandate without undue constraints.
The INEC chairman, however, maintained that credible elections cannot be achieved through reforms affecting the electoral commission alone.
He said the responsibility for successful elections is shared by political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and the electorate.
“When we talk about strengthening institutions, there are several institutions involved in the conduct of elections. Most times, people think only of the Independent National Electoral Commission, but beyond INEC, we also have the media, the security agencies, civil society organisations and, indeed, the Nigerian people. The health of our democracy is reflected in the strength of this wider institutional framework,” he said.
Drawing from international democratic principles, Amupitan recalled that the Inter-Parliamentary Council had long recognised that building democratic institutions is a collective responsibility involving governments, political actors and citizens.
“Therefore, if we truly want the 2027 elections to be free, fair, credible and peaceful, all these institutions must work together,” he added.
On recurring calls for changes in the process of appointing the INEC chairman and national commissioners, Amupitan said the Constitution already contains safeguards requiring the President to make the appointments in consultation with the Council of State and subject to confirmation by the Senate.
According to him, the country’s electoral challenges often stem less from deficiencies in the law than from failures in implementation.
“Sometimes, however, the issue is not the law itself but those who operate it,” he said, citing former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, as having argued that Nigeria’s challenge is not necessarily the Constitution but the faithful implementation of both the Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Amupitan also described Bello’s book as an important contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development, saying the publication chronicles the country’s political journey from the return to civil rule in 1999 through 2023 and offers useful lessons as preparations gather momentum for another crucial electoral cycle.
“Every election teaches us lessons, and every electoral cycle provides an opportunity to improve on the last,” he said.
Background
Calls for greater financial independence for INEC have intensified in recent years following concerns over delays in the release of election funds and persistent questions about the commission’s ability to operate without political interference. Although Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution provides for INEC’s funding to be a first-line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, election budgets still pass through the annual appropriation process before funds are released.
The debate has gained renewed significance as Nigeria heads towards the 2027 general election, with civil society groups, election observers and political stakeholders advocating reforms to strengthen the electoral commission’s independence, improve public trust and ensure the credibility of future elections.
