The Arewa Development and Advocacy Network (ADNAN) has thrown its weight behind the call by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, for the electoral body to be funded directly from the Federation Account, saying the move is critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
The group said direct access to the Federation Account would guarantee the commission’s financial independence and improve its capacity to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
In a statement signed by its Convener, Dr. Ahmadu Mustapha, on Friday in Abuja, ADNAN commended the INEC chairman for what it described as his “timely and courageous” advocacy for electoral reforms.
The group was reacting to Prof. Amupitan’s remarks at the public presentation of “Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023),” a two-volume publication authored by ThisDay Newspaper Managing Director, Mr. Eniola Bello.
According to ADNAN, although the 1999 Constitution places INEC on the first-line charge, the commission’s continued dependence on the annual appropriation process and envelope budgeting system weakens its operational independence.
It argued that the electoral body should not be subjected to funding bottlenecks that could affect election planning, logistics and the timely release of funds.
“The position canvassed by the INEC chairman is both timely and necessary. As an organisation committed to good governance, transparent institutions and democratic stability, we fully support the proposal that INEC should be funded directly from the Federation Account rather than relying on the annual budget cycle,” the statement said.
The group maintained that predictable and autonomous funding was essential for the commission to effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities, including the conduct of presidential, governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections, as well as voter registration and political party regulation.
It warned that election management bodies operating under funding uncertainties were more susceptible to logistical challenges, delayed deployment of election materials, inadequate personnel training and declining public confidence in the electoral process.
ADNAN urged the National Assembly to urgently amend the Electoral Act and relevant fiscal laws to guarantee direct statutory funding for INEC from the Federation Account.
It also called on the Federal Government to treat the commission’s financial autonomy as an extension of its constitutional independence, similar to the autonomy enjoyed by the judiciary and other constitutionally protected institutions.
The group further appealed to the National Assembly and the executive arm of government to engage the INEC leadership on the proposal without delay, while calling on civil society organisations, the media, political parties and Nigerian youths to support the campaign for stronger institutional independence for the electoral umpire.
According to the group, the credibility of Nigeria’s elections depends largely on the independence, capacity and financial stability of the institution responsible for conducting them.
ADNAN also encouraged the INEC chairman to sustain the advocacy and work with relevant stakeholders to ensure the proposal is translated into legislative and administrative action ahead of future elections.
