2025 budget :INEC proposes 126 billion naira

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, says commission will require about N126bn to fund its activities in 2025 and begin preparation for the 2027 general elections.

He stated this in Abuja while defending the 2025 budget proposal before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters.

According to him, the N40bn proposed for the Commission in the 2025 budget proposal is inadequate considering the payment of salaries and allowances for the year given the recent increase in the minimum wage among others.

Reacting to the presentation by the INEC Chairman, Senator Representing FCT Ireti Kingibe and Chairman house Committee on INEC and Electoral matters Mr. Adabayo Balogun emphasized the need for the Independence of INEC and adequate funding to enable it to discharge its responsibility to the nation.

The budget defence later went into a closed-door session between the joint committee and the INEC chairman and seven national commissioners and directors were also in attendance.