Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said the electoral body cannot achieve genuine independence without financial autonomy, warning that reliance on the regular budgetary process could undermine its ability to conduct credible elections.
Speaking on Thursday at the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), authored by THISDAY Managing Director, Eniola Bello, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Amupitan said greater control over INEC’s finances is essential to strengthening the commission ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC chairman noted that although the Constitution provides for the commission’s funding through the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the current arrangement does not amount to true financial independence because the commission still depends on the normal appropriation process.
“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 explained that the commission’s dependence on budgetary approvals from other institutions remains a major obstacle to its independence.
“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 said.
Amupitan said INEC’s responsibilities extend beyond conducting elections, noting that the commission also oversees voter registration, the registration and monitoring of political parties, maintenance of the national voters’ register, and the conduct of federal and state elections.
He added that the commission also plays a supporting role in local government elections in some respects.
“For these reasons, there is a strong case for giving INEC greater operational and financial autonomy to improve efficiency and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process,” the INEC chairman said.
He, however, stressed that credible elections cannot be delivered by INEC alone, emphasising the roles of political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and citizens in safeguarding democracy.
“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.
Amupitan urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure the success of the 2027 general elections.
“Therefore, if we truly want the 2027 elections to be free, fair, credible and peaceful, all these institutions must work together,” he added.
Addressing concerns over the appointment of INEC leadership, he said the Constitution provides safeguards by requiring the President to appoint the chairman and national commissioners in consultation with the Council of State and subject to Senate confirmation.
He, however, argued that the effectiveness of such provisions ultimately depends on those responsible for implementing them.
“Sometimes, however, the issue is not the law itself but those who operate it,” he said.
Amupitan also referenced former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, who maintained that Nigeria’s democratic challenges stem more from failure to uphold existing laws than from the absence of legislation.
He described Bello’s book as an important contribution to Nigeria’s democratic conversation, noting that it chronicles the country’s political journey from the return to democracy in 1999 to 2023.
“Every election teaches us lessons, and every electoral cycle provides an opportunity to improve on the last,” Amupitan said.