Political parties have raised concerns that delays in 2027 election funding could affect preparations for Nigeria’s next general elections, warning that late budget releases may disrupt procurement, logistics and public confidence. However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) maintains that preparations remain on schedule despite not yet receiving budgetary releases.
The concerns followed remarks by INEC National Commissioner for Voter Education and Publicity, Mohammed Haruna, who disclosed during a stakeholder session in Abuja that funds for the 2027 elections had not yet been released, although preparations had already commenced in line with the Electoral Act.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) said delayed 2027 election funding could create significant operational challenges. ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said many election materials must be imported and require long production timelines.
“It has very serious implications because INEC has to carry out a lot of procurement, many of which are imports. If those procurements have not been made by now, it may pose serious threats to the election in the months ahead,” he said.
PDP Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, said elections operate under strict constitutional timelines that should not be compromised. He warned that delayed funding could undermine both preparations and public confidence in the electoral process.
Similarly, NDC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Abdulmumin Abdulsalam described the delay as concerning but expressed confidence that both the Executive and National Assembly would ensure the commission receives the required funds before it affects operations.
The ruling All Progressives Congress disagreed with the opposition’s concerns. Deputy National Publicity Secretary Duro Meseko said the party remained confident that President Bola Tinubu would provide all necessary resources for credible elections. According to him, INEC has continued advertising procurement contracts for election materials, showing that preparations are progressing.
A senior INEC official also dismissed fears that the commission’s work had been disrupted. The official, who spoke anonymously, explained that funding for general elections is released in phases rather than through a single payment. The official said INEC remained financially on track, adding that technology upgrades, procurement and other preparations were proceeding according to schedule.
Election experts said timely 2027 election funding remains essential because many election materials, technology systems and specialised equipment require months to manufacture, test and distribute nationwide. Board member of Yiaga Africa, Professor Nnamdi Aduba, warned that delayed funding could weaken the integrity of the electoral process. “Elections are very expensive. A lot of things must be in place. Printing must be done, logistics must be handled, and the necessary mobilisation must be carried out,” he said.
He added that delaying funding could expose the electoral process to undue influence and unnecessary risks.
INEC has proposed a budget of ₦873.78 billion for the 2027 general elections to cover election operations, technology deployment and capital expenditure. The commission has also announced plans to procure new Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines to replace damaged or unrecovered devices from previous elections. It also plans to conduct mock presidential election exercises to test its technology infrastructure and avoid technical challenges similar to those experienced during the 2023 presidential election.
Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns will commence on September 9, 2026. The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will take place on February 6, 2027.
