The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, on Wednesday said the commission needs N10.6 billion for the 40 per cent increment of the peculiar allowance announced by the federal government. Prof. Yakubu who appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations to defend the N18 billion contained in the
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, on Wednesday said the commission needs N10.6 billion for the 40 per cent increment of the peculiar allowance announced by the federal government.
Prof. Yakubu who appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations to defend the N18 billion contained in the proposed supplementary budget said the N18 billon was not entirely for the conduct of the three upcoming off-season governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States, rather majority of it is for personnel cost.
According to him, the commission has 16,614 staff. His words: “You will recall that in April this year, there was a 40 per cent increase in peculiar allowance of civil servants. It was not provided in our 2023 budget because the budget was passed in December last year. At the same time there is another circular from the government dated February, where the duty tour allowance (DTA) and other consequential allowances were increased by the government.
“We have over 15,000 staff. And it is not easy to find the money to pay without a supplementary budget. So we made a case to the government and we have been included. For the component dealing with 40 per cent peculiar allowance, for the 16,614 staff of INEC, it is N10.6 billion and we have made provision for that,” he said.
Speaking on the cost of the 2022 budget, Prof. Yakubu said the Commission spent part of the money on Osun and Ekiti states election and the general election adding that the Commission stressing that the commission spent N355 billion in the 2022 budget.
According to him, the 11 November,2023 governorship election will be financed from the N355 billion. “Since the budget was passed in 2023, a lot of the parameters have changed. For instance, the cost implication of PMS has changed from 197 per liter to over 600 now. So we need augmentation. Part of the N18 billion is going to augment the elections in the three states,” Prof. Yakubu stressed.
In addition, he disclosed that most vendors have been putting pressure on the commission, seeking a review of the existing rates for services.
Speaking further, Prof. Yakubu lamented the impact of court verdicts on the commission, stressing that there are over 11 vacancies in the national and state assemblies.
The INEC Boss explained that based on court pronouncements, the commission will have to conduct by-elections in several constituency.
“There’s no budgetary provisions for the conduct of this unforeseen and unbudgeted by-elections. Not many people in Nigeria will not believe that within four months after the inauguration of the national and state assemblies, 11 vacancies have occurred, 11 by-elections in four months. Unfortunately, the majority are coming from the House of Representatives. There are five vacancies in the House of Representatives,” he said.
Responding, the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Abubakar Bichi (APC, Kano), said the supplementary budget was structured to address challenges facing the country.
His words :”the Bill has been specifically structured to improve the country’s security, food security, and critical road infrastructure sectors and to bridge the housing deficit in the country, including slum upgrades and urban renewal.
“It will also support the provisional wage to workers and cash transfers to vulnerable Nigerians. It will also cater to the upcoming off-cycle elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states,” he said.
He promised that the committee will be thorough in reviewing the submissions made by each ministry.
