The Federal Government has announced that it will allocate N18 billion to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the purpose of conducting gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo. Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, revealed this information following a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House on Monday.
Bagudu emphasized the pressing need for the proposed N2.1 trillion supplementary budget for 2023. He specified that INEC anticipates receiving the funds for the upcoming elections from this supplementary budget.
He further explained, “A sum of N18 billion has been set aside to assist INEC in organizing the Governorship elections scheduled for November 11 in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa. Additionally, an allocation of N8 billion has been included in the supplementary budget to facilitate the establishment of newly created ministries such as the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.”