By Peter Asanakpa
National News – Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said the electoral body cannot operate as a truly independent institution without full financial autonomy, warning that dependence on the regular budgetary process undermines its ability to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
Speaking at the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), authored by THISDAY Managing Director, Eniola Bello, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, Amupitan stressed that strengthening Nigeria’s democracy requires giving INEC greater financial and operational independence.
He noted that although the Constitution provides that INEC’s funding comes from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the commission still relies on the normal appropriation process and approvals from other institutions before accessing its funds.
“If we are serious about strengthening our institutions and conducting free, fair and credible elections, then financial autonomy is essential,” Amupitan said.
According to him, the current funding arrangement falls short of guaranteeing genuine independence for the electoral commission.
He explained that INEC’s responsibilities extend beyond organising elections, as the commission is also responsible for voter registration, political party registration and monitoring, maintaining the national voter register, and conducting federal and state 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 said.
The INEC chairman also urged Nigerians to recognise that credible elections are not the responsibility of the electoral commission alone.
He identified political parties, security agencies, the media, civil society organisations and citizens as critical stakeholders whose collective commitment is necessary to ensure peaceful and credible elections in 2027.
“When we talk about strengthening institutions, people often focus only on INEC. But the media, security agencies, civil society organisations and the Nigerian people all have vital roles to play. The health of our democracy depends on the strength of these institutions working together,” he said.
Drawing from international democratic principles, Amupitan noted that democratic governance thrives when governments, political actors and citizens share responsibility for protecting electoral integrity.
On the appointment of INEC leadership, he maintained that the Constitution already contains adequate safeguards, requiring the President to appoint the commission’s chairman and national commissioners in consultation with the Council of State and subject to Senate confirmation.
However, he argued that Nigeria’s electoral challenges often stem from the implementation of existing laws rather than deficiencies in the legal framework.
Quoting former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mukhtar, Amupitan said the country’s challenge lies more in faithfully implementing the Constitution and Electoral Act than in replacing them.
He described Bello’s two-volume publication as an important contribution to Nigeria’s democratic history, noting that the work chronicles the country’s political journey from the return to democracy in 1999 through 2023 and offers valuable lessons ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Every election teaches us lessons, and every electoral cycle provides an opportunity to improve on the last,” he added.
