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INEC Chairman Says N126bn Needed To Fund Activities In 2025

Published

4 months ago

January 11, 2025

By Gloria Ikibah

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu has said that about N126 billion will be needed in 2025 and also to commence preparation for the 2027 general elections.

The Chairman revealed this at the 2025 budget defense and proposal organised by the Joint Committee of rhe House of Representatives and Senate on Electoral Matters on Friday in Abuja.

Mahmood explained that the N40 billion proposed for the Commission in the 2025 budget proposal by President Bola Tinubu was inadequate putting into consideration payment of salaries and allowances for the year in view of the new minimum wage.

He further stated that in 2024, the commission was allocated the same N40bn which only covered salaries and some social contributions such as NHIS contributions, pension, ITF among others.

He said: “We complained about the allocations and you asked what we thought would be adequate. We made a proposal of N80bn then. We are aware that you made efforts to ensure an increase, but that did not work.

“On our part, we made efforts and approached the executive for more funds and we were able to get about N10.5bn from the executive to take care of the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections. That was why we were able to conduct those elections and came out successful.”

Prof. Mahmood who described the year 2025 as a critical year, said:p “We have the Anambra governorship election coming up later in the year. Provision for preparation for that election is not in the budget. We must prepare for the conduct of the Area Council elections scheduled for February 2026 and the budget for that election is not in this budget. We must monitor party primaries for these elections, including the conduct of bye elections and the budget for that is not in the current budget.

“Also, we must begin preparation for the 2027 general elections this year. We have not commenced the Continous Voter Registration exercise because of lack of money. We have to start this year and end it in 2026. We must also begin redistribution of voters to polling units from those that are over populated. All these activities cost money and that has not been considered in this budget”.

The INEC boss asserted that the Commission has about 11 bye elections in 2025 in the National and state Houses of Assembly as a result of death and resignation, and added that they have been able to secure about N500 million from the government for that purpose, but the money will not be sufficient to cover cost of the exercise.

He said despite inflation INEC was still been allocated N40 billion, according to him, currently the commission has over 14,700 staff members apart from political appointees affiliated to the commission.

He listed the political appointees in the commission to include the Chairman and 12 National Commissioners, 37 Resident Electoral Commissioners, their aides who draws salaries and allowances from the funds allocated to the commission.

Mahmood also said that the Commission has over 850 buildings across the country in need of renovation as well as offices in the 8, 809 wards, 774 local government, 36 state offices and the Federal Capital Territory.

He further revealed that currently, there are 59 local government offices located in Local Government Headquarters which it planned to relocate, and said that if the N126b budget proposal is approved, the commission will relocate of at least 30 of them in 2025.

The INEC Chairman also disclosed that the Commission planned to replace some of its items such as BVAS machines, voting cubiciles and other materials, adding that between the conduct of the 2023 general election and now, the commission has lost about 440 BVAS machines.

He however added that INEC has collected insurance premium of about N205m for the damaged BVAS.

He said “that money was not paid directly to the Commision. It was paid directy to government coffers”.

Reacting to the presentation by the INEC Chairman, Senator Ireti Kingible(LP, FCT) urged the parliament to look inward and come up with adequate funding for INEC to enable it discharge its responsibility to the nation.

She said “INEC has to be independent and whatever we have to do to get funding for the commission must be done. It is not whether the commission will get the money. It has to get the money needed. “

Also contributing, a member of the House of Representatives, Adeboye Paul said “From what we are seeing, it s clear that we are running a dangerous system. We are all participants in the electoral process and we know what goes on. When there are shortfall, the local government comes in to supplement and that is dangerous for the system.

“If the essence of budget defence is that we cannot make input, why then do we embark on the exercise. Last year, we were here in this same situation and we made efforts to improve the budget to no avail. We need to deliberate on how best to assist the commission aand save our democracy. If we allow them to continue going cap in hand to the executive for funds, that is not good for democracy in this country.”

The budget defence later went into a closed-door session between the joint Committee and the INEC Chairman and seven of National Commissioners and Directors also in attendance.

Related Topics:chairman Election president Senate Tinubu

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Benue LG chairman gives Fulanis 48hrs to leave all farmlands

Published

4 hours ago

April 27, 2025

ADMIN

The chairman of Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State, James Melvin Ejeh, has given Fulani herdsmen a 48-hour notice to leave all agricultural lands.

This announcement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the council secretariat in Obagaji.

The meeting included traditional leaders, representatives from the Fulani community, youth leaders, and security personnel to discuss the increasing concerns regarding herders’ activities on farmland as the planting season nears.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Agatu LGA Chairman, Obochi Solomon, reported that Ejeh highlighted the importance of safeguarding agricultural activities in Agatu in light of the upcoming planting season.

He remarked that agriculture is essential to the local economy and that farmers should have unhindered access to their lands.

Ejeh also acknowledged the current peace in the region but reiterated that maintaining uninterrupted farming activities is of utmost importance.

“Our farmers must cultivate without disruption. We will do everything necessary to create a safe environment for them,” he said.

The statement further disclosed that during the meeting, the Ado of the Fulani requested a one-week extension to allow the herders to prepare for their relocation, a request that the council approved.

The CPS noted that the General Youth Chairman of Agatu LGA, Oloche Silas, committed on behalf of the Agatu youth to support the peaceful evacuation process and to avoid any acts of violence.

Security personnel, including members of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), were reported to have praised the peaceful resolution of the issue and promised to offer necessary assistance during the relocation.

Additionally, representing the Och’Agatu, Chief John Agidani, spoke at the meeting, commending the leadership of the Council Chairman and urging all parties to adhere to the agreement.

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Five suspected kidnappers eliminated by police in Delta

Published

5 hours ago

April 27, 2025

ADMIN

Five alleged kidnappers have reportedly died after a fierce gun battle with operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team.

The suspects were confirmed dead in a hospital they were rushed to for medical attention.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe who confirmed the development in a statement, stated that the incident occurred on 21st April 2025.

The police image maker disclosed that operatives of the CP-Special Assignment team, acting on intelligence relating to kidnapping in Ubuluku, Isseluku, Issele-Asagba, and environs by one Bello Abubakar and his gang members, stormed one of their hideouts in Agu-Amawbia forest, Anambra State.

SP Edafe pointed out that during the raid of the suspects hideout in the forest, the operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle and one hundred and thirty-two rounds of live ammunition.

He further said the investigation was extended to another of their hideouts in a forest between Issele-Asagba and Utulu, where the said Bello Abubakar and his gang members were waiting in ambush.

According to the police image maker, the suspected kidnappers attacked the policemen in a fierce gun battle, but the team, who were aware of the battle ahead, reciprocated in like manner.

SP Edafe added that the manhunt for other injured fleeing suspects is ongoing.

News

Francophone Ambassadors, Nigeria Unite To Fight Against Climate Change

Published

10 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Ambassador of Bulgaria to Nigeria and President of the Francophone Ambassadors Group, Amb. Yanko Yordanov has reaffirmed the commitment of French-speaking countries to work closely with Nigeria in promoting environmental protection, democracy, and cultural exchange.

Speaking during the 2025 Francophonie celebration in Abuja, the Ambassador explained that although the International Day of La Francophonie is usually marked in March, they decided to hold the event in April to accommodate broader participation.

“This is a gathering that encompasses the meaning of La Francophonie. In French-speaking countries, the Francophone countries, we are uniting together to celebrate the diversity, our values, our mission, and, of course, to celebrate together with Nigeria. Because we are partners, we share the same values, and we have the same concerns,” he said.

Addressing the theme of the event, which includes environmental preservation and afforestation, the ambassador stressed that climate change is a shared challenge that must be tackled together.

“I think that it is a very important theme and La Francophonie has a lot to say and a lot to do in cooperation with countries, our partners like Nigeria, which are really equally affected by the climate change. So we want to raise the awareness of the importance of fighting the climate change in a way that benefits all nations, that mitigates really the climate change effect and that benefits the lives of all the citizens of all the worlds on the planet,” he said.

Reflecting on his experience leading the Francophone ambassadors in Nigeria, he said he was proud of the progress made in deepening ties between Nigeria and the Francophone community.

“I have been honoured to chair the informal group of the Francophone ambassadors in Nigeria for the past two years and I am proud of what we have achieved together in terms of making La Francophonie much more popular, much more understandable and much more visible in Nigeria,” he said.

He explained that the group, made up of over 25 ambassadors, has not only promoted Francophone culture in Nigeria but has also worked to showcase Nigeria’s rich heritage across Francophone countries Their joint efforts also span areas like trade, investment, political relations, and cultural exchanges.

“I think that the success of our group, which is very visible, is based on the cooperation with Nigeria, which is our partner, which shares our values and our mission, including in the area of the fight against climate change, which affects not only the Francophones, but also all the others, including Nigeria,” he added.

He emphasized that the partnership between Francophone nations and Nigeria is built on shared principles of humanity, democracy, and the rule of law.

“So we are very happy to cooperate with Nigeria in many directions, including the visibility of these problems and the visibility of the decisions and successes that we can achieve together in this area. I would like to say that the Francophones and Nigeria have the same mission. It is humanity. It is the promotion of democracy, of the rule of law. So we are very, very happy and proud to be able to cooperate with Nigeria,” the envoy stated.

Every year, the celebration of “La Francophonie” is an opportunity to highlight the richness of French-speaking cultures and linguistic diversity. It also pro ides an opportunity to promote the French language as a tool for solidarity and cooperation in tackling major challenges such as sustainable development.

This year, the celebrations planned as part of the Month of La Francophonie in Nigeria showcased how the French-speaking countries work together in the service of energy transition, the protection of fauna and flora and the development of new ecosystems.