The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s proposal for N125 billion in the 2025 budget has sparked sharp disagreements between Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and major opposition parties. The budget, which INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu presented to the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Electoral Matters on Friday, includes operational costs for 2025 and early preparations for the 2027 general election.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly criticized the request, accusing INEC of seeking funds to reward electoral misconduct. PDP Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor called the budget proposal unjustifiable, especially given the commission’s recent funding history.
“The person who submitted this budget should be publicly condemned for corruption, especially after INEC received over N200 billion in the last three years for elections,” Osadolor told The PUNCH. “Despite promises of technological improvements, we all saw what happened during the last elections. Now, INEC is asking for reward money. If this isn’t reward money, I wonder what it’s for.”
Osadolor further questioned INEC’s priorities, stating, “Meanwhile, there are other critical sectors in need of money. INEC has no moral justification for this request.”
Similarly, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) expressed concerns about the hefty budget, urging INEC to adopt cost-cutting measures in light of Nigeria’s economic challenges. NNPP National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson questioned the timing of the request, noting that 2025 is not an election year.
“That is a large amount. The question is, what is the money for? We are not in a general election year,” Johnson said. He proposed practical solutions to cut costs, such as collaborating with the banking system for voter registration. “INEC should be looking for ways to minimize costs, not increase them yearly,” he added.
In contrast, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) highlighted the immense pressure on INEC due to Nigeria’s political climate. ADC National Chairman Ralph Nwosu argued that the commission’s budget reflects the challenges of managing elections in a politically volatile environment.
“INEC is the major democratic institution we have, and the quality of our democracy is measured by its output,” Nwosu explained. “The burden on INEC comes from the undemocratic behavior of our politicians. From conducting elections to managing litigations over party primaries, INEC is involved in everything. The actions of politicians have overwhelmed the commission.”
He continued, “For those in power, elections are like war. If our next budget reaches a trillion, it has to do with the character of our politicians.”
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The Labour Party (LP) echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that INEC requires funding to improve its operations. LP National Legal Adviser Kehinde Edun acknowledged that INEC’s inefficiencies have made Nigerians skeptical about its budget demands.
“INEC needs money to improve a lot of things, especially equipping their state offices, which often rely on the headquarters for functionality,” Edun said. “The issue is not the money itself but the credibility of our elections. If INEC delivers credible elections, even if they demand double the amount, no one will complain.”
Edun urged Nigerians to give the commission the benefit of the doubt. “Let them have the money they want, but we expect them to use it judiciously,” he added.
The ruling APC called for a more measured approach, urging critics to consider the detailed breakdown of INEC’s request. APC National Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim stressed that INEC’s responsibilities go beyond conducting elections.
“INEC’s request must come with a breakdown of how the money will be used. They don’t just conduct elections; they also monitor party activities, register eligible voters, and scrutinize party records,” Ibrahim said. “You can’t conclude that the request is suspicious without examining its purpose. INEC has to reflect changes in the voter population, such as deaths, aging, and new voters.”