CHRICED Condemns ₦135bn Election Litigation Budget, Warns of Rising Public Distrust
By Ayeeshat J Ahmad from Kano
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The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has raised serious concerns over the Federal Government’s decision to allocate ₦135.22 billion for election-related litigations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This contain In the statements signed by Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, the executive director Chriced and issued it to the pulse Time Nigeria Today
Zikirullahi described the allocation as excessive and alarming, warning that it could deepen public distrust in Nigeria’s democratic process.
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The organisation noted that the Federal Government has already proposed ₦873.78 billion for the 2027 elections, alongside ₦171 billion for the operations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2026.
It, however, expressed concern over the inclusion of an additional ₦135.22 billion specifically set aside for election litigations, representing over 15 percent of the total election budget.
According to CHRICED, the sudden appearance of the litigation vote in the revised 2026 budget, despite being absent in earlier drafts, raises questions about transparency and accountability.
The group argued that INEC already has legal departments across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, making such a huge allocation for litigation unnecessary.
CHRICED warned that budgeting heavily for legal disputes suggests that authorities are anticipating electoral failures rather than focusing on preventing them.
It questioned whether the government is preparing for credible elections or indirectly planning for electoral crises that may require judicial intervention.
The organisation further stressed that at a time when Nigerians are grappling with inflation, unemployment, and poverty, such spending priorities are both insensitive and misplaced.
CHRICED emphasised that in a functional democracy, elections should be decided at polling units and not in courtrooms, warning that over-reliance on litigation could weaken public confidence.
The group also highlighted that the funds could be better invested in voter education, improved logistics, and transparent result management systems to reduce disputes.
It added that the allocation, if redirected, could significantly support critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and security.
CHRICED therefore called on the Federal Government to provide full disclosure on the litigation budget, reprioritise electoral spending, and strengthen INEC’s independence to ensure credible elections.