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INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan warns that Nigeria cannot guarantee free, fair and credible 2027 general elections unless the electoral commission is granted full financial autonomy.
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Says continued dependence on the annual appropriation process and budget approvals by other government institutions weakens INEC’s operational independence and public confidence in the electoral process.
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Calls for greater operational and financial autonomy, arguing that INEC’s constitutional responsibilities extend beyond conducting elections to voter registration, political party regulation and maintaining the national voter register.
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Urges political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and citizens to jointly safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, insisting that faithful implementation of existing laws—not constitutional amendments—is the country’s greatest electoral challenge.
July 24, (THEWILL) — The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has declared that Nigeria cannot deliver free, fair and credible general elections in 2027 unless the electoral commission is granted genuine financial autonomy, warning that continued dependence on the conventional budgetary process compromises its operational independence and weakens public confidence in the electoral system.
Amupitan’s remarks come at a time when political parties, civil society groups and election stakeholders are intensifying discussions on reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections. While public debate has largely focused on amendments to the Electoral Act and constitutional reforms, the INEC chairman argued that the more fundamental issue is whether an election management body can truly function independently while relying on other institutions for its funding.
Speaking on Thursday while delivering the keynote address at the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), a two-volume publication authored by THISDAY Managing Director, Mr Eniola Bello, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Amupitan said financial independence remains indispensable to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
“Can INEC truly be independent without financial autonomy? If we are serious about strengthening our institutions and conducting free, fair and credible elections, then financial autonomy is essential”, Amupitan declared.
Financial Autonomy Central To Electoral Credibility
The INEC chairman said discussions about electoral reforms should move beyond legal amendments to addressing structural issues that affect the Commission’s independence and efficiency.
Although the Nigerian Constitution provides for INEC’s funding through the Consolidated Revenue Fund, he maintained that the existing arrangement has failed to deliver genuine financial autonomy because the Commission still depends on annual appropriations and budget approvals by other government institutions.
“The Constitution places INEC’s funding on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and many believe that is sufficient. However, experience has shown that as long as INEC remains subject to the normal appropriation process and depends on budgetary approvals by other institutions, genuine financial independence remains difficult”, he said.
Amupitan argued that the arrangement exposes the electoral body to administrative bottlenecks that could ultimately affect planning, procurement and timely preparations for elections.
He stressed that INEC’s constitutional responsibilities extend beyond organising presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections to include voter registration, political party registration and regulation, monitoring political parties, maintaining the national voter register and supporting aspects of local government elections.
“For these reasons, there is a strong case for giving INEC greater operational and financial autonomy to improve efficiency and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process”, he added.
Amupitan cautioned against placing the burden of delivering credible elections solely on INEC, stressing that democracy can only flourish when every institution assigned constitutional responsibilities performs effectively.
He identified political parties, security agencies, the judiciary, the media, civil society organisations and the electorate as indispensable partners in safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic process.
“When we talk about strengthening institutions, there are several institutions involved in the conduct of elections. Most times, people think only of the Independent National Electoral Commission, but beyond INEC, we also have the media, the security agencies, civil society organisations and, indeed, the Nigerian people. The health of our democracy is reflected in the strength of this wider institutional framework”, he said.
Drawing from internationally recognised democratic principles, he recalled that the Inter-Parliamentary Council had long emphasised that building democratic institutions is a shared responsibility involving governments, voters and organised political forces.
“Therefore, if we truly want the 2027 elections to be free, fair, credible and peaceful, all these institutions must work together”, he stated.
Implementation, Not The Law, Is Nigeria’s Biggest Challenge
Responding to recurring concerns over the appointment of INEC’s leadership, Amupitan maintained that the Constitution already provides adequate safeguards by requiring the President to appoint the Chairman and National Commissioners in consultation with the Council of State and subject to Senate confirmation.
He argued that the country’s electoral challenges stem less from constitutional deficiencies than from failures by those responsible for implementing the law.
“Sometimes, however, the issue is not the law itself but those who operate it.”
He cited former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, as having consistently maintained that Nigeria’s democratic progress depends more on faithfully observing the Constitution and the Electoral Act than on repeatedly amending them.
Book Chronicles Nigeria’s Democratic Journey
Amupitan also described Bello’s Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023) as an important contribution to Nigeria’s democratic literature.
According to him, the more than 900-page publication documents Nigeria’s political evolution from the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999 through 2023, capturing key political developments, governance challenges and democratic milestones.
He said the book offers valuable lessons for policymakers, political actors and citizens as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 general elections.
“Every election teaches us lessons, and every electoral cycle provides an opportunity to improve on the last”, Amupitan concluded, expressing optimism that stronger institutions and greater independence for INEC would reinforce public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and democracy.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
