2027: Financial Independence Is Key to Credible Polls— Amupitan

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said the commission cannot function as a truly independent electoral body without full financial autonomy, warning that reliance on the normal budget approval process limits its operational freedom and could affect efforts to deliver credible elections in 2027.

Amupitan made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the public presentation of the book, Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), written by THISDAY Managing Director, Eniola Bello. The event took place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

During his address, the INEC chairman said discussions on electoral reforms should go beyond legal amendments and focus on ensuring that the commission has the financial freedom required to carry out its constitutional responsibilities without unnecessary interference.

According to him, although INEC occupies a central position in the electoral process, the responsibility for conducting credible elections does not rest on the commission alone. He said political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, the media and the Nigerian public all have important roles to play in strengthening the country’s democracy.

Amupitan explained that while the Nigerian Constitution provides that INEC’s funding should come from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the commission still depends on the regular appropriation process before accessing its funds. He noted that this arrangement does not provide the level of financial independence expected of an institution responsible for conducting elections.

He argued that as long as the commission continues to rely on budget approvals from other government institutions, achieving complete operational independence will remain difficult.

The INEC chairman also explained that the commission’s responsibilities extend beyond organising elections. He said INEC conducts presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections, supports local government elections in certain areas, registers political parties and eligible voters, monitors political parties and maintains the national voter register used across the country.

He stated that these wide-ranging responsibilities make a strong case for granting the commission greater financial and operational freedom to improve efficiency and strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Amupitan also urged Nigerians not to place the entire burden of electoral credibility on INEC alone. According to him, democratic institutions function best when every stakeholder performs its responsibilities effectively.

He said security agencies, political parties, election observers, civil society groups, the media and ordinary citizens all contribute to the success or failure of elections, adding that the strength of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the performance of these institutions collectively.

Referring to international democratic principles, Amupitan recalled that the Inter-Parliamentary Council had long recognised that building democratic institutions requires the cooperation of governments, voters and organised political groups.

He said Nigeria would be in a better position to conduct peaceful, transparent and credible elections in 2027 if all institutions involved in the electoral process worked together towards the same objective.

Speaking on concerns surrounding the appointment of INEC leadership, Amupitan noted that the Constitution already provides checks by requiring the President to appoint the Chairman and National Commissioners in consultation with the Council of State and subject to confirmation by the Senate.

He, however, said the real challenge often lies in the way existing laws are implemented rather than the provisions of the laws themselves.

He referred to the views of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, who had argued that Nigeria’s democratic challenges stem more from poor implementation of constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act than from deficiencies in the legal framework.

Amupitan also described Eniola Bello’s two-volume publication as an important contribution to discussions on Nigeria’s democratic journey. He noted that the book, which spans more than 900 pages, documents the country’s political developments from 1999 to 2023 and provides useful lessons that could guide preparations for the 2027 general election.

He added that every election presents an opportunity to review past experiences, correct shortcomings and improve the country’s electoral system before the next electoral cycle.