’11 By-Elections’, INEC Chairman Defends N18bn Supplementary Budget
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu has defended the N18bn contained in the proposed supplementary budget for the commission when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.
Yakubu explained that the N18bn in the supplementary budget is not entirely for the conduct of the Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo governorship elections, but majorly personnel cost.
He said N1.6bn would be used to conduct 11 by-elections in constituencies and senatorial districts across the country.
“As you may remember, public employees’ unique allowance saw a 40% boost in April of this year. Since the budget was passed in December of last year, it was not able to make provisions for it in our 2023 budget..
“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. There was no provision in our statutory budget.
“For the component dealing with 40 per cent peculiar allowance, for the 16,614 staff of INEC, will require N10.6 billion and we have made provision for that.
“Many of the elements have altered since the budget was approved in 2023. For example, the cost implication of PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) has changed from 197 per liter to over 600 now. We thus require augmentation. A portion of the N18 billion would be used to improve the three states’ elections.
The supplementary budget bill has been primarily designed to address the nation’s housing deficit, food security, and critical road infrastructure sectors and to bridge the housing deficit in the country, including slum upgrades and urban renewal.
