The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has appealed to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, for increased and consistent funding ahead of the 2027 general elections, disclosing that the cost of conducting governorship elections alone surpasses the combined cost of presidential and National Assembly polls.
Amupitan made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the RMAFC Chairman, Dr Mohammed Shehu, in Abuja on Tuesday, describing the visit as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the two federal agencies.
In a bulletin issued by the commission, INEC said its constitutional responsibilities span elections into the offices of the president, vice president, National Assembly, state governors, state houses of assembly, and FCT area councils, in addition to continuous voter registration and political party registration.
The INEC boss noted that the commission also shoulders the financial cost of pre- and post-election matters, including litigation arising from party primaries. He added that INEC runs offices in all 36 states, the FCT, and all 774 local government areas nationwide, with the federal government currently funding these operations in full.
Amupitan further called for improved welfare packages for INEC staff, warning that inadequate remuneration had led to the loss of experienced personnel to migration. He cautioned that a widening skills gap could emerge as more seasoned staff approach retirement, stressing that better welfare conditions would boost morale and strengthen public trust in the commission’s outcomes.
He also urged increased investment in infrastructure, electoral technology and personnel training, describing these as critical to preserving institutional knowledge within INEC.
The INEC chairman assured RMAFC of the commission’s commitment to delivering free, fair, transparent and credible elections, noting that the presidential and National Assembly polls are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.
He disclosed that INEC would also conduct an off-cycle governorship election in Osun State on August 15, 2026, adding that the commission’s recent conduct of the Ekiti governorship poll and other bye-elections had earned commendation locally and internationally.
Responding, Dr Shehu commended INEC for its consistency in organising elections since 1999 and pledged RMAFC’s support in ensuring credible polls in 2027. He acknowledged the enormity of INEC’s operational demands given its nationwide spread and assured the commission of RMAFC’s continued collaboration.
Amupitan was accompanied by national commissioners, the Secretary of the Commission, technical aides and directors, while Shehu received the delegation alongside RMAFC’s vice chairman, commissioners and senior directors.
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