Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, said that the Independent National Electoral Commission will get N18 billion to assist them in organising the elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo.
He revealed this to State House reporters during the Council meeting, which was held in the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja and chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
According to him:
“Equally N18 billion was provided for the Independent National Electoral Commission to support them in the conduct of the Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo elections.”
He further mentioned that the FEC had approved a total of N2.1 trillion as the Supplementary Budget for 2023, the second year of this year.
He clarified that of the total sum suggested, N605 billion would go towards national security and military and around N300 billion would go towards bridge upkeep.
Bagudu also revealed that N400 billion would be used for cash transfers to low-income households and N210 billion would be used to pay wage awards to federal personnel.
The Minister declared that N800 billion would be provided for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold the governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi states during the off-season, and another N100 billion would be included in the budget proposals as infrastructure support for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to Bagudu, an additional N8 billion was allocated in the supplemental budget to support the launch of recently established ministries such as the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
cc: Vanguard Ng
