Independent National Electoral Commission says it lacks sufficient budgetory allocation to fund direct or indirect primaries.
Chairman of the Commission Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, stated this when he appeared before the House Committee on Appropriation.
Prof Mahmoud Yakubu said he was before the Committee to brief the lawmakers on allegations that the commission is proposing to spend five hundred billion naira for direct primaries.
The INEC Chairman who said he was satisfied during his discussion with the committee declined giving further details on the Commission’s preparations against the 2023 elections.
Addressing Assembly Correspondents, the Chairman house committee on Appropriation, Alh Mukhtar Betara, said the meeting was to enable INEC present its needs for the 2023 elections.
Alh Muktar Betara, disclosed that the INEC Chairman had reassured the committee that the commission has minimal role in party primaries.
Both the Chairman of the Committee and INEC however, refused to comment on the rejection of Electoral Act Amendment Bill by President Muhammadu Buhari.
SALIHU TSIBIRI