'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified lingering misconceptions about its funding as it welcomed the newly appointed European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, His Excellency Gautier Mignot, to its headquarters in Abuja.
In his remarks during the visit, INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, emphasized that the Commission does not receive direct funding from the European Union or other development partners. He explained that external support is limited to specific technical assistance, consultancy services, and capacity-building programs facilitated through implementing partners selected by the donors.
“The EU and other development partners provide indirect support in areas such as the publication of reports, retreats, stakeholder engagement, and consultancy. Their support does not involve any direct funding of core electoral activities like voter registration, production of PVCs, training and remuneration of ad hoc staff, or electoral logistics. These activities remain the sovereign responsibility of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Prof. Yakubu stated.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of growing public interest in how INEC manages its funding and partnerships, especially in the wake of the 2023 General Election, which was monitored by 206 observer groups, including the EU Election Observation Mission.
Ambassador Mignot lauded Nigeria’s progress in democratic governance, describing the country’s democracy as vibrant and a key pillar of stability in the region. “Without a credible electoral system that enjoys the trust of citizens and stakeholders, there can be no good democracy,” he said. The Ambassador reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty while providing expertise to strengthen the electoral process.
Highlighting the evolving nature of democracy, Ambassador Mignot addressed the challenges posed by disinformation and digital technologies. He stressed the importance of international cooperation and exchanges between democracies to navigate such complexities effectively.
The EU has been a longstanding partner of INEC, particularly through the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) initiative, now in its third phase. This program provides funding and technical assistance to key institutions and stakeholders, including INEC, civil society, political parties, and the media.
Prof. Yakubu expressed gratitude for the EU’s continuous partnership, which he said has contributed to incremental improvements in Nigeria’s electoral processes over six electoral cycles since 1999. He cited examples of recent advancements, such as the improved functionality of the BVAS for voter accreditation and the seamless distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Edo and Ondo States.
The INEC Chairman also announced the Commission’s ongoing internal review of the 2023 elections, culminating in a comprehensive 524-page main report and a 74-page review document containing 142 recommendations. He assured stakeholders that INEC is already implementing administrative reforms based on these recommendations to enhance future elections.
The visit marked Ambassador Mignot’s first official engagement in Nigeria since his assumption of office on January 24, 2025, underscoring the EU’s commitment to supporting democratic governance in the country.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Yakubu reaffirmed INEC’s dedication to inclusive and credible elections while reiterating the importance of collaboration with stakeholders to address emerging challenges in the electoral process.
