To whom much is given, much is expected, but for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) things could stay on the average.
From records, INEC got billions of Naira allocated for it to conduct a credible off-cycle election in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states.
But some persons say INEC failed to redeem its reputation and the trust of Nigerians that it can conduct a credible election.
There was a time in this nation when many trusted in the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a credible election.
Today, that trust has got a blow by the glaring actions and inactions of INEC.
INEC Spent Over ₦5 Billion
The electoral body had received a whooping ₦355 billion to conduct the 2023 general election which was fraught by many irregularities.
And another ₦5.8 billion for the off-cycle election which was not much different from the general election.
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A common school of thought says INEC wasted resources and successfully conducted a sham of an election in these states.
They say the people had hoped to choose their own governors and become free from governments foisted on them.
Alas, INEC did the exact opposite of what the people had hoped for.
INEC Got ₦18 Billion From National Assembly
Also, INEC had requested an additional ₦18 billion from the government, an amount which Yakubu Mahmood defended before the National Assembly.
Mahmood broke down ₦18 billion supplementary budget request before the lawmakers in October, judiciously stating how the money would be used.
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According to him, ₦10.6 billion would go to payment of staff, their allowance, and other expenses.
While ₦1.6 billion would be used to conduct by-elections in 11 different constituencies.
The remaining was what the commission used for the Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi state gubernatorial elections.
Is INEC A Credible Electoral Umpire
One fact that stands out in this election is that INEC responded to the issue of malpractice during the election but went ahead to declare that the election was peaceful.
Could this mean that INEC spoke from both sides of the mouth?
