The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has called for increased and sustained funding, improved staff welfare, and greater investment in electoral technology as preparations gather pace for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja on Tuesday, Amupitan said stronger financial support is essential for INEC to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
He noted that the Commission oversees presidential, governorship, National Assembly, state assembly and FCT Area Council elections, alongside continuous voter registration, political party registration and other statutory duties. According to him, governorship elections alone cost more to conduct than the combined presidential and National Assembly polls due to their operational complexity.
Amupitan said the Federal Government currently funds INEC’s nationwide operations across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and all 774 local government areas, but stressed that expanding electoral demands require more consistent funding.
He also urged improved remuneration for INEC staff, warning that the Commission has lost experienced personnel to migration while many others are nearing retirement. Better welfare packages, he said, would improve staff morale, preserve institutional knowledge and reinforce public confidence in the electoral process.
The INEC chairman further advocated increased funding for infrastructure, personnel training and electoral technology to strengthen the Commission’s capacity to deliver transparent, credible and efficient elections.
He reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to free, fair and credible polls, announcing that the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will follow on February 6, 2027. He also confirmed that the Osun State governorship election will hold on August 15, 2026.
In response, RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Bello Shehu praised INEC’s record since 1999 and pledged continued collaboration to support the successful conduct of the 2027 elections.
