Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN Tayo Oyetibo Amupitan has called for greater financial independence for the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, arguing that the electoral body cannot operate with full independence unless it is granted complete control over its funding ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amupitan made the remarks while speaking on the need for broader electoral reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy. He said institutional independence goes beyond constitutional guarantees, stressing that an electoral commission that depends on the executive for its budget may struggle to function without real or perceived external influence.
According to the senior lawyer, financial autonomy would enable INEC to plan and execute elections more efficiently, improve procurement processes and carry out voter education, logistics and other critical responsibilities without delays caused by funding approvals. He added that an independent electoral body is essential for building public confidence in the country’s democratic process.
He noted that Nigeria has made progress in improving its electoral system in recent years through legal reforms and the adoption of technology, including the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System BVAS and electronic transmission of results in many elections. However, he argued that more structural reforms are needed to guarantee the commission’s operational independence.
The call comes as political parties and stakeholders begin preparations for the 2027 general elections. Debates over electoral reforms have intensified following the 2023 elections, with civil society groups, legal experts and opposition parties advocating changes aimed at improving transparency, accountability and public trust in the electoral process.
Amupitan urged the National Assembly and relevant government institutions to consider reforms that would guarantee direct and predictable funding for INEC. He said such a system would reduce administrative bottlenecks and enable the commission to focus on its constitutional responsibility of conducting free, fair and credible elections.
Election observers have long argued that independent funding is one of the key pillars of a credible electoral management body. They note that many democracies provide electoral commissions with safeguards that protect them from political interference, including secure tenure for officials and financial arrangements that limit executive control over election administration.
The proposal has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians. Some believe financial autonomy would strengthen INEC’s credibility and reduce political pressure on the commission, while others argue that independence must also be accompanied by stronger accountability, transparency and internal reforms. Political analysts say the debate is likely to gather momentum as Nigeria moves closer to the 2027 elections and discussions over constitutional and electoral amendments continue.
