2027: INEC Chairman, Amupitan advocates Financial Autonomy for Electoral Umpire
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has called for greater financial autonomy for the electoral body, saying such a step is necessary to safeguard its institutional autonomy and improve public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the call at the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), written by THISDAY Managing Director Eniola Bello.
Speaking at the event, Amupitan said the debate on electoral reforms should also focus on ensuring that INEC has the financial freedom required to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
The INEC Chairman argued that the Commission’s dependence on the regular budgetary approval process weakens its independence despite constitutional provisions on its funding.
“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 said.
While acknowledging that the Constitution provides for INEC’s funding through the Consolidated Revenue Fund, he maintained that the existing arrangement does not translate into full financial independence.
“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 noted that the Commission’s responsibilities extend beyond organising elections, pointing out that it also manages voter registration, political party registration and regulation, maintains the national register of voters and performs other statutory functions essential to Nigeria’s democratic process.
“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.
The INEC Chairman also stressed that credible elections require the collective commitment of all democratic institutions and stakeholders rather than the efforts of the electoral commission alone.
“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.
Referencing international democratic principles, Amupitan said sustainable electoral reforms depend on cooperation among government institutions, political actors and citizens.
“Therefore, if we truly want the 2027 elections to be free, fair, credible and peaceful, all these institutions must work together,” he stated.
On concerns surrounding the appointment of INEC officials, he said the Constitution already provides checks by requiring the President to appoint the Chairman and National Commissioners in consultation with the Council of State, subject to confirmation by the Senate.
He, however, argued that implementation, rather than legislation, remains the greater challenge.
“Sometimes, however, the issue is not the law itself but those who operate it,” he said, while recalling the position of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, that Nigeria’s democratic challenges are rooted more in adherence to existing laws than in replacing the Constitution.
Amupitan described Bello’s publication as an important contribution to conversations on Nigeria’s democratic development, noting that the two-volume work chronicles the country’s political journey between 1999 and 2023 and offers lessons that could help shape preparations for the next general election.
“Every election teaches us lessons, and every electoral cycle provides an opportunity to improve on the last,” he said.