?The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has made an urgent appeal to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for increased and consistent funding to secure the Commission’s operations ahead of the fast-approaching 2027 general elections.

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Speaking during a high-profile courtesy visit to the RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, in Abuja on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Prof. Amupitan warned that inadequate remuneration is actively driving a talent drain within the nation's electoral umpire.

He revealed that INEC has recently lost several experienced personnel to migration, raising concerns over a looming skill gap as more veteran staff approach retirement.

Better welfare packages, he argued, are not just about employee satisfaction, but are fundamental to retaining skilled experts, boosting staff morale, and safeguarding public trust in Nigeria's electoral outcomes.

?Beyond personnel retention, the INEC boss laid bare the massive financial weight of managing Nigeria's democracy.

He pointed out that the operational costs of conducting individual state governorship elections actually surpass the combined cost of the nationwide Presidential and National Assembly elections.

With INEC solely responsible for running offices across all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and all 774 local government areas—alongside the heavy financial burden of pre- and post-election litigation—sustained federal funding remains absolutely critical.

?Looking ahead, Prof. Amupitan reaffirmed INEC's unwavering commitment to delivering free, fair, transparent, and credible polls.

He officially noted that the next Presidential and National Assembly elections are slated for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

Ahead of the general polls, the Commission is also gearing up to conduct an off-cycle governorship election in Osun State on August 15, 2026, building on the success of its widely commended recent outings in Ekiti State.

?In his response, the RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, highly commended INEC for its consistency in upholding Nigeria's democratic transitions since 1999. Acknowledging the immense, nationwide scale of INEC's responsibilities, Dr. Shehu pledged RMAFC's continuous support and assured the visiting delegation that his doors remain wide open for strategic collaborations to ensure the 2027 elections are a resounding success.