News

We got N313.4bn, spent $6.72 per voter for 2023 elections – INEC

Published

2 years ago

February 24, 2024

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu

We got N313.4bn, spent $6.72 per voter for 2023 elections – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the Federal Government released N313.4 billion for the conduct of the 2023 general elections.

The commission in its 2023 General Election Report released on Friday, said that out of the N355.b approved for the conduct of the elections, the sum of N313.4 billion was only released as at September 2023,.

According to the report, based on the key activities in the approved Election Project Plan for the 2023 general election, INEC proposed a budget of N305 billion for the conduct of the elections.

The breakdown of this amount showed that the commission asked for N159.7 billion for electoral operations; N117. 3 billion for electoral technology; and N20.4 billion for electoral administrative costs.

It also showed that N7.4 billion representing 2.5 per cent of the election operation, technological and administrative costs was set aside for unforeseen electoral expenses.

The report stated that in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the commission’s budget proposal for the 2023 general election was submitted to the presidency and duly transmitted to the National Assembly for approval.

“Consequently, the commission appeared before Senate and House Committees on INEC as well as the Senate and House Appropriations Committee in a joint session during which the INEC Chairman presented the expenditure layout of the budget and answered all questions and queries from Committee members.

“The National Assembly approved and appropriated the sum of N303.1 billion for the conduct of the 2023 general election,” it stated.

It, however, stated that by January 2023, it was clear that the approved amount would not be enough for the conduct of the election due to the inflation rate and consumer price index as well as the widening differentials in the foreign exchange rate.

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It added that INEC was also faced the necessity to rebuild or relocate its operations from its buildings that were destroyed or burnt and replace lost election materials due to arson attacks and fire outbreak.

It also noted that INEC suffered more than 50 attacks on its facilities and vandalisation of properties and election material between 2019 and 2022.

These three factors, according to the report, negatively impacted on the procurement of domestic goods and services and the purchase of offshore electoral equipment and materials.

“The commission was therefore compelled to request for supplementary appropriation in the sum of N52.billion from the presidency.

“The request was duly considered and approved for appropriation by the National Assembly bringing the total funds approved and appropriated for the conduct of the 2023 general election to N355.2 billion.

“The breakdown of the appropriated amount on the basis of the Average Cost per Registered Voter Index (COVI), for the 93,469,008 registered voters in Nigeria is N3,801 (US$6.72) per voter.

“This is well within the internationally acceptable Average Cost per Registered Voter (ACRV) of $4 to $8 that is deemed adequate for the conduct of election in transitional democracies.

“In fact, the ACRV for the 2023 general election is less than the actual cost of $9.62 and US$7.38 cost per voter for the 2015 and 2019 general election respectively and very reasonable in comparison to the cost per voter in other transitional democracies such as Ghana and Kenya,” the report stated.

It added that consequent upon the appropriation of the election budget proposals by the National Assembly, INEC engaged with the Minister and officials of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning for the release of funds as stipulated in Section 81(2,3&4) of the 1999 Constitution.

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“This led to the cumulative release of the sum of N293.4 billion in tranches between February 2022 and February 2023.

“A further amount of N20b was released to the Commission in August and September 2023.
“The sum of N61.8 billion is outstanding as of October 2023,” the report said.

It also stated that INEC also receives support from development partners for electoral activities.
The support according to the commission was tailored around training, capacity building, civic and voter education, production of information, education and communication materials and engagement with stakeholders.

These supports are directed at the provision of technical assistance, information dissemination, strengthening the integrity of the electoral process, promoting citizens’ participation, and enhancing advocacy for inclusivity with reference to women, youths, persons with disability and other marginalised groups.

“To be clear, the commission does not receive any direct cash transfer from development partners.

“Rather, these partners are required to hold on to their funds and undertake the direct implementation of any activity requested by the commission that are usually directed at meeting urgent and sometimes unanticipated needs or to augment the cost of enhancing electoral integrity, “ it stated.

Section 81(2,3&4) of the Constitution provides that the required funding to meet INEC expenditure be issued directly from the Consolidated Revenue of the Federation to the commission i.e on a first-line charge to the consolidated revenue.

The section also stipulated that any further funding required by the commission should be presented to the National Assembly for supplementary appropriation if the amount in the original budget is insufficient or if no amount was provided for in the original budget to meet unforeseen expenditure.

The Section also stipulated that funds due to the commission for any general election should be released not later than one year before the election and gave INEC the power to disburse such funds in accordance with its financial rules and regulations.

Also the Federal Government of Nigeria is solely responsible for providing funding to the Commission as a sovereign responsibility.

We got N313.4bn, spent $6.72 per voter for 2023 elections – INEC

News

INEC Warns ADC Against Holding Convention Without Supervision

Published

8 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan

INEC Warns ADC Against Holding Convention Without Supervision

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against proceeding with its planned congresses and national convention without proper supervision and in defiance of an existing court order.

Chairman Joash Amupitan issued the warning during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, after the ADC insisted on going ahead with its convention despite INEC’s derecognition of the leadership faction linked to David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola.

Amupitan stressed that INEC’s actions were guided by legal considerations, particularly a subsisting court order restraining the ADC from taking steps that could undermine ongoing legal proceedings. “Don’t do anything. Don’t take any step that will render any proceeding before the court nugatory,” he said.

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He explained that the ADC’s plan to conduct congresses and a national convention is already part of a pending legal process, with motions related to the activities yet to be determined by the court. Ignoring the court’s directive, he warned, could result in invalidated elections or nullified internal party decisions, citing precedents in Zamfara and Plateau states where failure to comply with court orders affected electoral outcomes.

Amupitan highlighted the risks of repeating past mistakes, stressing that while the ADC is free to act as it chooses, INEC would not risk supervising illegal or unauthorized party activities. He reinforced the importance of adhering to the Electoral Act and judicial directives to ensure that party events are legally recognised and free from future challenges.

The INEC Chairman’s warning comes amid heightened tension within the ADC, with the faction led by David Mark facing derecognition and ongoing litigation over the party’s legitimate leadership. Analysts note that the statement underscores INEC’s commitment to rule of law, legal compliance, and internal party democracy, especially as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

INEC Warns ADC Against Holding Convention Without Supervision

News

Presidency Clarifies Why Tinubu Met Plateau Victims Only at Airport

Published

9 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with victims of palm Sunday Attack in Plateau State

Presidency Clarifies Why Tinubu Met Plateau Victims Only at Airport

The Presidency has clarified why President Bola Tinubu did not leave the airport during his recent visit to Jos, amid public criticism. Officials said the decision was driven by tight scheduling, logistical constraints, and aviation safety concerns.

President Tinubu visited Jos North Local Government Area, where he met with families of victims killed in the Angwan Rukuba attack. Speaking to the bereaved, he said, “You have no light at the airport, and I have to fly back within the next 10 minutes. To the victims, there’s nothing I can give you, whether it’s money in millions, but console you and promise you that this experience will not repeat itself.”

The visit was attended by political supporters, traditional rulers, security operatives, and other stakeholders. However, Tinubu’s airport-only engagement drew criticism, with some accusing him of insensitivity toward grieving families.

In response, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, explained that Tinubu’s schedule on Thursday included receiving Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno at the Presidential Villa before traveling to Iperu in Ogun State. Following a security briefing by Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Ogun trip was canceled, and an emergency visit to Jos was arranged overnight.

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Officials said logistical challenges made a town visit impractical. The airport runway does not support night flights, and the road distance from the airport to Jos township is about 40 minutes. These factors made it unfeasible for the President to visit the conflict site, meet victims in town, and return to the airport safely before dusk.

To ensure engagement, representatives of affected communities were brought to a hall adjoining the airport, allowing Tinubu to meet directly with victims, local leaders, and security officials. Among attendees were the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Inspector General of Police, who had visited Rukuba to assess security operations.

During the meeting, the President consoled victims, listened to their concerns, and assured justice would be delivered. He also promised the deployment of 5,000 AI-enabled surveillance cameras to monitor the city and enhance the identification and arrest of troublemakers. Furthermore, he invited community leaders to Abuja for additional talks on long-term solutions to recurring violence in Plateau State.

The Presidency described the visit as a strategic, high-level engagement aimed at addressing the root causes of conflict, rather than a symbolic gesture. Officials emphasized that Tinubu’s approach prioritized safety, efficiency, and direct interaction with key stakeholders while adhering to flight and logistical constraints.

Despite the criticisms, the televised meeting was seen as reassuring by residents, signaling the President’s commitment to peace, security, and community-driven solutions in Plateau State.

Presidency Clarifies Why Tinubu Met Plateau Victims Only at Airport

News

Heavy Security Deployed at INEC Headquarters Abuja Amid Planned ADC Protest

Published

16 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Trends Admin

Heavy Security Deployed at INEC Headquarters Abuja Amid Planned ADC Protest

Armed security forces on Thursday surrounded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja as tensions escalated over a planned protest by supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The move comes amid a deepening leadership crisis within the party, which has split into rival factions, prompting agitation and nationwide attention.

Eyewitnesses reported a strong presence of Nigeria Army personnel, with armoured vehicles stationed at strategic points around the INEC complex in the Maitama district. The Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also reinforced security, restricting movement and monitoring activities closely to prevent potential clashes.

The heightened security follows INEC’s decision to remove the names of Senator David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary of the ADC from its official portal. The commission said this action complied with preservatory orders issued by the Court of Appeal, directing all parties to maintain the status quo until the Federal High Court delivers a final judgment.

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The ADC dispute has created two competing camps: one backing David Mark and the other supporting Nafiu Bala Gombe as acting chairman. Both sides have sent conflicting communications to INEC, further complicating the situation and sparking the threat of protests at the commission’s headquarters.

“The names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark… would be removed from the INEC portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo ante bellum,” INEC stated, clarifying that it would suspend recognition of any faction until judicial resolution.

Supporters of the ADC have accused INEC of bias and interference in the party’s internal affairs. Civil society groups and political commentators have urged restraint and neutrality from the electoral commission to prevent further escalation of tensions.

Security operatives set up checkpoints and roadblocks around INEC headquarters, with armed personnel maintaining a visible presence. The deployment is viewed as a preventive measure to avert potential clashes or breakdown of law and order while the legal dispute unfolds.

Political observers note that the heavy security presence at INEC highlights the growing intersection of party politics and public order in Nigeria, as the ADC leadership tussle remains unresolved and could influence upcoming electoral processes.