INEC clarifies funding misconceptions from int’l partners
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified lingering misconceptions about its funding from the European Union (EU) and other international partners. The INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the explanation when he received the new European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, who led a delegation to the commission’s headquarters […]
Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has clarified lingering misconceptions about its funding from the European Union (EU) and other international partners.
The INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the explanation when he received the new European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, who led a delegation to the commission’s headquarters on Tuesday in Abuja.
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.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of concerns on 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.
Yakubu said the commission does not receive direct funding from the EU or other development partners and that external support is limited to specific technical assistance, consultancy services, and capacity-building programmes facilitated through implementing partners selected by the donors.
Yakubu said the visit was a further affirmation of the long-standing relationship between the EU and the commission as the latter worked very closely with his predecessors and INEC look forward to sustaining the same relationship with him to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral democracy.
He said since the 2023 General Election, the commission has received reports from many of the 206 national and foreign groups and international organisations accredited to observe the elections, including the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU-EOM) which made a total of 23 recommendations of which eight require action by the commission and 15 by the executive, judiciary and legislative arms of government as well as other stakeholders such as civil society organisations, the media, faith-based organisations and political parties.
Speaking earlier, Ambassador Mignot reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty while providing expertise to strengthen the electoral process.
He noted that the EU’s involvement is not about imposing ideas but about sharing experiences to strengthen democratic institutions.