Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission has renewed its call for stronger financial support, improved staff welfare and greater investment in electoral infrastructure.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, made the appeal during a meeting with the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja.
Amupitan said the engagement was aimed at deepening collaboration between the two federal agencies, stressing that INEC’s mandate extends beyond elections to include continuous voter registration and political party registration.
He noted that the commission operates offices in the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and all 774 local government areas, making adequate and sustained funding critical to its operations.
The INEC chairman said governorship elections alone cost more than the combined expenditure for presidential and National Assembly elections, while the commission also handles pre-election and post-election responsibilities. He appealed for improved welfare packages for electoral officials, warning that inadequate remuneration had contributed to the loss of experienced personnel through migration.
“The Commission had, in recent times, lost some experienced staff to migration, and a widening skills gap could emerge as more senior personnel approach retirement”, Amupitan said.
He added that investment in technology, infrastructure and training would strengthen the commission’s capacity and preserve institutional knowledge.
Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections, noting that the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on February 6. He also announced that the Osun State governorship election would take place on August 15, 2026.
The RMAFC chairman, Mohammed Bello Shehu, commended INEC’s contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and pledged continued cooperation to support the commission ahead of the 2027 elections.
