Conducting Elections in Nigeria Is Burdensome – Yakubu

• INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu described Nigeria’s election process as burdensome, highlighting significant financial and operational challenges faced by the commission
• Yakubu called for collaboration with lawmakers to address electoral issues, emphasizing the need for adequate funding to enhance INEC’s effectiveness

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has described conducting elections in Nigeria as burdensome.

Speaking on Friday while defending the commission’s 2024 budget at the National Assembly, Yakubu highlighted the financial and operational challenges faced by INEC.

He noted that despite being one of the country’s largest employers, INEC’s operational budget was slashed to N40 billion, significantly lower than the N80 billion requested.

Yakubu called for a retreat between lawmakers and the commission to foster collaboration and address the issues impacting Nigeria’s electoral system.

“We need a major conversation. The commission cannot continue conducting elections year-round,” he emphasized.

He urged the National Assembly to ensure adequate funding for INEC’s activities to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the electoral process.

In the 2025 budget proposal, the Federal Government allocated N126 billion to the commission.