By Kamsi Anayo
Prof. Joash Amupitan, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said that the electoral umpire cannot be truly independent without financial autonomy.
He warned that continued dependence on the normal budgetary process weakens its operational independence and could undermine efforts to deliver free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
Amupitan argued that while INEC remains central to the electoral process, the responsibility for credible elections extends to political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and Nigerians themselves.
Amupitan spoke while delivering the keynote address at the public presentation of ‘Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023)’, authored by THISDAY Managing Director, Mr Eniola Bello, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja on Friday.
“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 stressed.
He maintained that although the Constitution places INEC’s funding on the Consolidated Revenue Fund, practical experience has shown that the arrangement falls short of guaranteeing genuine independence because the Commission still passes through the normal appropriation process.
“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.
The INEC chairman noted that the commission’s responsibilities go far beyond organising elections, pointing out that it conducts federal and state elections; supports local government polls in some respects; registers voters and political parties; monitors political parties; and maintains the national voter register used across the federation.
“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 also stressed that strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process requires collective responsibility rather than focusing solely on the electoral commission.
