Mahmood Yakubu to n’assembly: N40bn inadequate for INEC’s 2025 budget, we need N126bn

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the national assembly to increase its 2025 budgetary allocation to N126 billion.

Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the electoral umpire, spoke on Friday when he appeared before the joint committee of the senate and house of representatives on INEC to defend the commission’s 2025 budget.

Yakubu said the N40 billion proposed by the federal government as the INEC budget for 2025 would not be enough to fund its operations for the year.

“Our proposal for the 2025 budget—the provision requires the sum of over N126 billion,” he said.

“We have the document that has provided details, line-by-line details, on how we intend to spend the N126 billion.

“We would like the support of the national assembly to enable us to achieve our responsibilities in the first line charge, and most of these responsibilities are constitutional.

“In a nutshell, the N40 billion budget envelope given to us for 2025 will not cover one-third of projected expenses, which amounts to over N126 billion.

“Aside from the off-cycle elections for 21 constituencies to be filled through bye-elections and the Anambra governorship election this year, personnel costs alone on account of the new minimum wage will gulp the N40 billion budgetary envelope.”

The INEC chairman said the electoral umpire requested intervention funds of N10.5 billion for the Edo and Ondo off-cycle elections and N500 million for bye-elections in 2024 due to the “poor” budgetary allocation to the commission.

The committee members promised to increase the budget of the commission to meet the needs of the electoral body.

Ireti Kingibe, senator representing FCT, said INEC’s demand is necessary for optimal operation but expressed concerns over the source of funding.

After contributions by lawmakers, the committee dissolved into an executive session with the INEC chairman and national commissioners.