Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The ruling All Progressives Congress and major opposition parties have expressed sharply differing opinions regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission proposal for one hundred and twenty-five billion naira in the 2025 budget to cover ongoing operations and begin early preparations for the 2027 general election. The Peoples Democratic Party strongly criticized the request, labeling the funds as reward money for electoral misconduct and arguing that the commission lacks any moral justification for such a massive sum after receiving over two hundred billion naira in the preceding three years. Similarly, the New Nigeria Peoples Party questioned the necessity of the large allocation during a non-election year and urged the electoral body to implement cost-saving measures, such as partnering with banks for voter registration. Conversely, the African Democratic Congress and the Labour Party defended the funding needs, noting that the commission carries a heavy operational burden caused by frequent litigations, political thuggery, and the extensive management of party primaries, though they emphasized the need for absolute transparency and improved electoral credibility. Meanwhile, the ruling party urged the public to withhold judgment until the commission provides a detailed financial breakdown, pointing out that its responsibilities extend far beyond conducting elections to include continuous voter registration, political party monitoring, and handling off-season polls.