Former Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), High Chief Peter Ameh, has frowned at the decision of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to construct the office annex for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

Ameh said it was an attempt to undermine the autonomy of the commission which he said was capable of threatening the foundation of democracy in Nigeria. 

In a statement Tuesday, Ameh said “The recent decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to construct its new national headquarters in Abuja is deeply troubling and constitutes a direct assault on the commission’s constitutional independence. 

“I strongly condemn this move as an unacceptable return to practices that undermine Nigeria’s democratic progress.

“The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) explicitly safeguards INEC’s autonomy under Section 158(1), which insulates the commission from external control in its operations. 

“Furthermore, Section 81(3) provides for a direct line charge to INEC’s budget, ensuring financial independence through funds drawn directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. 

“This mechanism, reinforced by the Electoral Act 2022, was designed to eliminate INEC’s reliance on politically controlled entities, thereby curing the historical problem of undue influence over the election management body. 

“The justification offered by INEC’s Chairman—that the FCDA’s role in building the commission’s initial headquarters when it relocated from Lagos validates its current involvement—is outdated and indefensible. 

“Nigeria’s electoral laws have evolved significantly, and such arrangements are no longer acceptable for an institution tasked with conducting free, fair, and credible elections.

“The mere fact that FCDA was allowed to initiate and carry out the construction of the new headquarters speaks volumes, an agency under the Federal Capital Territory Administration and subject to political oversight by Nyesom Wike, to fund and construct its headquarters, INEC risks compromising its impartiality and eroding public trust in the electoral process. 

“This decision contradicts the purpose of the direct line charge, which empowers INEC to independently budget for its operational and infrastructural needs through appropriations by the National Assembly. 

“Public sentiment, as expressed by so many citizens, echoes this concern, with Nigerians questioning the integrity of an electoral body that permits political actors to influence its operations.

Equally concerning is INEC’s misplaced priority in focusing on a new headquarters while neglecting the welfare of its staff—the bureaucratic backbone of the commission. 

“The employees who manage voter registration, election logistics, and result collation deserve competitive salaries, adequate training, and improved working conditions to enhance their efficiency and resist electoral malpractices. 

“Diverting attention to a grandiose project at the expense of staff welfare undermines INEC’s mission to deliver credible elections for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.

“I call on INEC to immediately halt this arrangement with the FCDA and leverage its direct line charge to independently fund and manage the construction of its headquarters. 

“The National Assembly must exercise its oversight powers to ensure that INEC’s budget reflects its infrastructural and operational needs without reliance on external agencies. Additionally, INEC must prioritize staff welfare to strengthen the integrity of the electoral system.

“The Nigerian people deserve an electoral body that upholds its constitutional mandate of independence and prioritizes the mechanisms that drive credible elections. 

“Any attempt to undermine INEC’s autonomy threatens the foundation of our democracy. We must act swiftly to protect the integrity of our electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections”.