.Proposes N171bn allocation for current fiscal year
.Security, inter-agency collaboration key to credible 2027 elections– SGF
.AGF under fire as senators worry over zero capital allocation to MDAs, non-payment for executed contracts
JONAS EZIEKE, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has proposed and defended a budget of N873.778 billion for the conduct of the 2027 general elections throughout Nigeria
INEC Chairman, Prof.Joash Amupitan, made this known on Thursday in Abuja while presenting the Commission’s 2026 budget proposal and the projected cost for the 2027 general elections before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.
He clarified that the N873.778 billion required for the 2027 polls is separate from the Commission’s 2026 budget proposal, in which INEC plans to spend N171 billion on its operations, including the conduct of by-elections and off-cycle elections.
According to Prof. Amupitan, the projected election budget does not include a fresh proposal by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) seeking an increase in allowances for Corps members engaged as ad-hoc staff during elections.
He explained that although details of specific line items were not exhaustively presented, the nearly N1 trillion election budget is structured across five major components: N379.748 billion for operational costs; N92.317 billion for administrative costs; N209.206 billion for technological costs; N154.905 billion for election capital costs; and N42.608 billion for miscellaneous expenses.
The INEC chairman noted that the budget was prepared in line with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the Commission to prepare its election budget at least one year before the general election.
On the 2026 fiscal year, Prof. Amupitan said the Ministry of Finance provided the Commission with a budget envelope of N140 billion.
However, INEC is proposing a total expenditure of N171 billion. The breakdown includes N109 billion for personnel costs; N18.7 billion for overheads; N42.63 billion for election-related activities; and N1.4 billion for capital expenditure.
He argued that the envelope budgeting system is not suitable for the Commission’s operations, noting that INEC’s activities often require urgent and flexible funding.
He also identified the lack of a dedicated communications network as a major operational challenge, adding that if the Commission develops its own network infrastructure, Nigerians would be in a better position to hold it accountable for any technical failures.
In his remarks, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) said external agencies should not dictate the budgeting framework for INEC, given the unique and sensitive nature of its mandate.
He urged that the envelope system be set aside for the Commission and that Parliament should work with INEC’s actual requirements to avoid future complaints of underfunding.
Similarly, a member of the House of Representatives from Edo State, Hon.Billy Osawaru, called for INEC’s budget to be placed on first-line charge as provided in the Constitution, with funds released in full and on time to enable proper planning and execution of its responsibilities.
The Joint Committee approved a motion recommending the one-time release of the Commission’s annual budget.
The committee also said it would consider the NYSC’s request for about N32 billion to increase allowances for Corps members to N125,000 each when engaged for election duties.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Along, assured that the National Assembly would work closely with the Commission to ensure it receives the necessary support for the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon.Bayo Balogun, also pledged legislative support but cautioned the Commission against making promises it may not be able to fulfill.
He recalled that during the last general election, INEC made strong assurances about uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing (IREV) portal, creating the impression that results could be monitored in real time.
“Meanwhile, the IREV was not even in the Electoral Act; it was only in INEC regulations. So, be careful how you make promises,” Balogun warned.
.Security, inter-agency collaboration key to credible 2027 polls – SGF
In another development, The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Sen. George Akume, has underscored the need for improved security coordination and early preparation to ensure credible and peaceful 2027 general elections.
Akume made this known on Thursday during the opening ceremony of the Federal and State Security Administrators Meeting, in Umuahia.
The SGF, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Mr Mohammed Danjuma, said that preparations for the elections required robust security arrangements.
He said the strategic move had become necessary as political activities such as voter registration, party primaries and campaigns were expected to commence soon.
Akume recalled that the Federal Government established the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security in 2015 to ensure peaceful, free and credible elections.
He added that the committee was chaired at the federal level by the National Security Adviser, with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as co-chair.
He said that similar structures existed at the state level, chaired by the Resident Electoral Commissioner and the Commissioner of Police.
The SGF stressed the need for synergy among security agencies, INEC, political actors and other stakeholders.
Akume called for early coordination, effective intelligence gathering and strict enforcement of electoral laws to curb activities of political thugs and hoodlums.
He also warned against the dissemination of false narratives capable of fuelling panic, ethnic and religious tension, and undermining trust in public institutions.
Akume urged the National Orientation Agency and relevant bodies to strengthen strategic communication to counter misinformation.
He further appealed to citizens and communities to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and useful information to support ongoing operations against terrorism, banditry and other crimes.
He said security should be viewed as a collective responsibility involving government, institutions and individuals.
He described hosting of the meeting in the South-East as a reflection of the improved security situation in the zone, noting that the region was gradually regaining its position as a hub for entrepreneurship, commerce and trade.
He commended the Federal Government, security agencies and Abia government for their collaborative efforts in restoring peace and stability in the region.
In his speech, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia, said that security remained the foundation for meaningful development, noting that infrastructure development, investment and job creation depended on a stable and predictable environment.
He described the conference as a strategic convergence aimed at deepening coordination, intelligence sharing and institutional synergy between federal and state authorities.
The governor advocated for what he termed “operational federalism”, where federal security structures and state administrative responsibilities worked in deliberate alignment.
He called for strengthened joint planning frameworks, rapid response mechanisms and structured communication channels among agencies, stressing that coordination must be intentionally designed and continuously improved.
Otti said that modern security challenges required predictive systems, early warning structures and community-based intelligence, adding that traditional institutions and grassroots leaders played critical roles in fostering trust.
He also emphasised the need to leverage technology, data integration and measurable performance indicators in security administration.
The governor said the protection of strategic infrastructure, including airports, industrial parks, markets and educational institutions, remained a national imperative.
On the 2027 general elections, Otti stressed that credible polls required early planning and adequate security arrangements.
He said INEC should be centrally involved in security discussions to guarantee free, fair and peaceful elections.
Otti urged participants to ensure that deliberations at the conference produced practical, measurable outcomes capable of enhancing national stability.
He declared the conference open and reaffirmed Abia’s commitment to collaborative security governance.
Also, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, appreciated the organisers of the Federal and State Security Administrators’ Meeting and commended the host governor for his leadership in strengthening security governance.
Ribadu, represented by his Special Adviser on Governance and Sub-national Liaison, Mr Asishana Okauru, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to closer collaboration with states to enhance national security architecture.
He stressed that effective security required coordination, trust, and structured engagement across all levels of government.
The NSA highlighted ongoing efforts to improve interagency cooperation through the monthly Joint Intelligence Board meetings and the recently established Forum of National and Sub-National Security Officials (FONSU).
Ribadu said that through FONSU, all 36 states and the FCT have nominated senior security focal persons to promote intelligence sharing, coordinated operations, and best practices nationwide.
He noted that recent FONSU meetings have strengthened communication and improved response coordination, while supporting alignment with the Federal and State Security Administrators’ forum.
Ribadu emphasised that security goes beyond the absence of conflict and depended largely on good governance, strong institutions, rule of law, and access to essential services.
He commended initiatives that promoted inclusive governance and social protection, describing them as key pillars of long-term stability.
Ribadu urged participants to share insights and best practices, assuring the forum of continued support in strengthening federal-state collaboration and proactive security governance.
.AGF under fire as senators worry over zero capital allocation to MDAs, non-payment for executed contracts
The Accountant General of the Federation ( AGF) , Dr Shamseideen Ogunjimi was thoroughly grilled by the Senate Committee on Finance during budget defence session on Thursday .
In his opening remarks , Chairman of the Committee , Senator Sani Musa ( Niger East) , raised questions at the AGF , on poor releases of funds to MDAs , statutory bodies and what they termed , frustrating Centralized Payment System for contractors .
Musa pointedly told the AGF that the attitude of his office to the committee , is unfriendly and must change for the good of all .
” We are not going to take your budget until when we are satisfied that your office is ready to do things that will make things work for Nigerians through expected assurances from you .
” One of the issues that must be urgently resolved is the envelope budgeting system being used by the federal government on yearly basis but not producing desired results , requiring alternative model like performance based one “, he said .
In his comments , Senator Danjuma Goje ( Gombe Central) , told the AGF that the Senate and by extension, Nigerians generally , are embarrassed by poor budget implementation being experienced since 2024.
” Here at the National Assembly , we have never seen contractors bombarding us on weekly basis for intervention on non payment of executed contracts .
” Impression given to us and Nigerians by government is that with removal of subsidy and harmonization of forex market , more revenue or more money , where is the money now? Why are contractors owed ? And why was it zero allocation for capital votes of most of the MDAs in 2025?”, he queried.
He added that the situation at hand in the country as far as poor budget implementation is concerned , is very embarrassing and baffling .
Senator Muntari Dandutse ( Katsina South ) in his comments , wondered why N28triilion was reportedly generated by revenue agencies and yet 85% of contractors are being owed and zero allocation for most of the MDAs in 2025 capital component budget , asking ” what happened to the N28trillion “.
” Even the introduced Centralized Payment System is not helping matter at all . The system is very compromised and seriously affecting the integrity of government “, he said .
Other Senators like Abdul Ningi ( Bauchi Central ) , Asuquo Ekpenyong ( Cross River South) , Adams Oshiomhole ( Edo North ) ,Aminu Abbas ( Adamawa Central ) and Patrick Ndubueze ( Imo North), who admonished the AGF to tell President Bola Tinubu to look inward in guarding against sabotage ; also made punchy remarks .
However in his response , the AGF said indiscriminate contracts award made by many of the MDAs without availability of fund , created the mess at hand which according to him , brought up directive banning MDAs from contracts award without availability of funds .
He explained to the lawmakers that though challenges being faced with operation of Centralized Payment System, were not envisaged , but said that they are being addressed for seamless operation
” Yes, as the Accountant General of the Federation , my office is expected to disburse fund to relevant agencies at appropriate time but that can only be done if the fund is available because I must have the fund before I can disburse.
” I also want to remind us that ‘Ways and Means’ used in the past for such funding is no more for the good of the Nation’s economy “, he said .
For further critical engagement with the AGF, the committee thereafter went into closed door session with him .
For a better society
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
