The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called for improved funding and enhanced staff welfare as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The appeal was made by the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja.
Prof. Amupitan said adequate and predictable funding remains critical to the Commission’s ability to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities, particularly as Nigeria prepares for another electoral cycle.
He noted that INEC’s mandate extends beyond the conduct of elections to include continuous voter registration, political party registration and regulation, and the management of electoral processes across the federation.
The INEC Chairman disclosed that the Commission maintains offices in the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and all 774 local government areas, making sufficient funding indispensable for its operations.
He further expressed concerns over staff welfare and the increasing loss of experienced personnel, stressing the need for improved remuneration and better working conditions to retain skilled professionals within the Commission.
According to him, investment in electoral infrastructure, technology, and human capital development is essential to strengthening the country’s electoral system and ensuring the successful conduct of future elections.
Prof. Amupitan also revealed that preparations are underway for key electoral activities scheduled in the coming months. He announced that the Osun State governorship election is expected to hold on August 15, 2026, while the presidential and National Assembly elections have been scheduled for January 16, 2027. Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for February 6, 2027.
Responding, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, commended INEC’s role in sustaining Nigeria’s democratic process and pledged continued collaboration in supporting the Commission’s constitutional mandate.
He acknowledged the operational demands associated with conducting elections across the country and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working with INEC to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral institutions.
The call for increased funding and improved staff welfare comes as INEC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for adequate institutional support to guarantee credible, transparent, and peaceful elections across the country.
In the heart of Benue State, what should have been a solemn day of farewell turned into a scene of unimaginable horror. Eight people were brutally cut down and five others left wounded when suspected gunmen stormed a funeral gathering in the Otukpo-Nobi community, Otukpo Local Government Area.
Mourners had come together on Sunday to pay their final respects to a departed loved one when the assailants suddenly appeared, spraying bullets into the crowd before vanishing into the chaos.
Not satisfied with the bloodshed, the attackers also set several thatched houses and a motorcycle ablaze, leaving grief-stricken families to deal with both loss and destruction. The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident, revealing that security forces have since been deployed to the area. Spokesperson Udeme Edet assured residents that…… READ MORE
