By Emmanuella Oghenetega
ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has criticised the Federal Government’s plan to allocate ₦135.22 billion for post-election litigation ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing it as a worrying indication of deeper flaws within Nigeria’s electoral system.
In a statement signed by the Country Director Actionaid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, the organisation said the proposed figure represents a sharp and unprecedented increase compared to previous election cycles, raising questions about the country’s electoral priorities and fiscal responsibility.
AAN noted that figures from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows that only about ₦2.104 billion was set aside for litigation and prosecution in 2022, while ₦3.087 billion was used in 2023 for election-related legal matters. The jump to ₦135 billion, it said, is excessive and difficult to justify.
The organisation expressed concern that instead of addressing the underlying issues that lead to electoral disputes, the government appears to be preparing to manage them after the fact through heavy spending. It warned that such an approach could overburden the judiciary, prolong legal proceedings, and increase the overall cost of elections for all stakeholders.
While acknowledging that post-election disputes are a normal part of democratic processes, AAN maintained that many of these conflicts could be minimised through stronger laws and more transparent electoral systems.
The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, stated:
“What we are seeing is a clear case of choosing to manage crisis instead of preventing them. At the centre of this failure is the handling of Nigeria’s electoral legal framework.
The Electoral Act 2022, which governs how elections are conducted, had shown clear weaknesses during the 2023 elections, particularly around the lack of certainty in the electronic transmission of results and this lacuna should have been addressed through electoral amendment opportunity which was lost in the Electoral Act 2026 review process. We will recall that ActionAid Nigeria, alongside the Situation Room, IJAP, MOT!ON, and other civil society organisations and concerned Nigerians, raised concerns around the need for INEC and the government to demonstrate certainty, transparency, and accountability in our electoral process.
“And one of the most widely supported recommendations was to make the electronic transmission of results mandatory and real-time. Such a provision would have ensured that results from polling units are transmitted immediately after verification, reducing human interference, limiting opportunities for manipulation during collation, and strengthening public trust. These were practical, evidence-based solutions aimed at reducing disputes and restoring public confidence in our elections. The decision to ignore these recommendations and proceed with a legal framework that still allows ambiguity and opacity has consequences, and what we are seeing now is the result.”
AAN further argued that the proposed allocation highlights a pattern of reactive governance, where avoidable challenges are allowed to escalate before being addressed at significant public cost.
The organisation also pointed out that the allocation reflects misplaced national priorities, especially given the pressing challenges Nigerians face in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, security, and basic infrastructure.
It therefore called on the President to withhold approval of the budget in its current form and undertake a reassessment of the ₦135 billion provision. While recognising the necessity of funding for election-related legal processes, AAN insisted that the amount proposed is disproportionate to past experience.
The group recommended that any excess funds be redirected towards strengthening the electoral system ahead of elections, as well as supporting essential public services, in order to reduce the likelihood of disputes rather than merely preparing to resolve them.
ActionAid Nigeria concluded that prioritising preventive reforms, transparency, and accountability would not only reduce litigation costs but also enhance the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process and rebuild public trust in democratic institutions.
