Nigeria’s major opposition parties have expressed concern over delays in releasing funds to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections, warning that the situation could affect preparations and public confidence in the electoral process.
The INEC election funding debate intensified after the commission disclosed that it had not yet received budgetary releases for the 2027 polls. Despite this, INEC maintained that preparations remain on course and that election planning is progressing according to the Electoral Act.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) warned that delayed funding could disrupt procurement schedules, logistics planning, and technology deployment required for the elections. Speaking on the issue, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi described the delay as worrying. He said many election materials require international procurement and production timelines.
“If those procurements have not been made by now, it may pose serious threats to the election in the months ahead,” he said.
The PDP also warned that delayed funding could weaken the credibility of the electoral process. The party’s Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, argued that elections operate under strict constitutional timelines that should not be compromised.
“The continued delay in releasing funds therefore reflects a grave level of irresponsibility and a lack of commitment to democracy,” he said.
The NDC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, acknowledged the concern but expressed confidence that both the executive and the National Assembly would ensure INEC receives the required funding before preparations are affected.
The INEC election funding issue followed comments by the commission’s National Commissioner for Voter Education and Publicity, Mohammed Haruna, during a cross-sectoral interactive session organised by the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Abuja.
Haruna stated that although budgetary releases had not yet been received, the commission had already begun preparations in line with legal requirements. According to him, INEC plans to procure new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices to replace damaged or unrecovered machines from previous elections. The commission also intends to conduct mock presidential election exercises to test its technology infrastructure and prevent a repeat of the technical challenges experienced during the 2023 presidential election.
INEC has proposed a budget of ₦873.78 billion for the 2027 elections to cover election operations, technology deployment, logistics, and capital expenditure. A senior INEC official, who spoke anonymously, said election funding is released in phases rather than through a single disbursement.
“Our preparations, from upgrading election technology to procuring materials, are fully moving forward on schedule without any hitches,” the official said.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed fears that the funding situation could affect the elections. Deputy National Publicity Secretary Duro Meseko said the party remained confident that President Bola Tinubu would provide all necessary support for credible elections. He noted that procurement activities are already ongoing and argued that INEC currently possesses sufficient election materials to continue its preparations.
Election experts stressed that early funding remains critical because many sensitive election materials and specialised equipment require months of production, testing, and deployment. A member of the Board of Trustees of Yiaga Africa, Professor Nnamdi Aduba, warned that delayed funding could expose the electoral process to unnecessary risks.
“When you don’t mobilise funding early, you are exposing the process to unimaginable dangers,” he said.
The INEC election funding discussion comes as preparations continue for the 2027 general elections. Under the current timetable, presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027. Campaigns are expected to begin in August and September 2026 respectively.
