The Federal Government has approved the release of N18 billion to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo Elections, News About Nigeria reports.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, who stated that the N18 billion would be provided to INEC in order to support them in the conduct of the off-cycle governorship elections.
The Minister said this while briefing State House correspondents after the Council meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
In his own words, “Equally, N18 billion was provided for the Independent National Electoral Commission to support them in the conduct of the Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo elections.”
The off-cycle elections in these states are slated to be held on the 11th of November, 2023.
Bagudu, who also disclosed that a total sum of N2.1 trillion has been approved by the FEC as a Supplementary Budget for the year 2023, noted that it is the second of the year.
According to him, out of the amount, N605 billion would be spent on national defence and security, while about N300 billion would be spent on the maintenance of bridges across the country.
The Minister of Finance also disclosed that N210 billion would be used for the payment of wage awards to civil servants and N400 billion for cash transfers to vulnerable households.
He further explained that another N8 billion was included in the supplementary budget for the take-off of the newly created ministries, such as the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
