The federal government’s proposal to set aside N135.22 billion for “Electoral Adjudication” in the 2026 budget to handle post-election legal disputes following the 2027 general elections has sparked widespread criticism from civil society groups and political analysts. The allocation, framed by the government under Service-Wide Votes as a necessary contingency for the inevitable courtroom battles that follow Nigerian polls, represents a sharp increase from previous cycles, where litigation costs hovered around N3 billion.
The proposed fund has raised questions about the government’s confidence in the electoral system’s transparency. Civil society organisations, including ActionAid Nigeria, have criticised the staggering amount, arguing that it reflects a troubling acceptance of electoral disputes as a normal feature of Nigerian democracy rather than an incentive to improve electoral processes. The allocation also raises concerns about the potential for a bloated judiciary budget that may not translate into faster or fairer adjudication.
The sharp increase from approximately N3 billion in previous election cycles to N135 billion suggests either a significant expansion of the expected volume of litigation or a redefinition of what costs are being covered. Legal experts note that the 2023 general elections generated over 1,500 petitions across various tribunals, placing enormous strain on the judiciary. However, the proposed allocation is roughly 45 times larger than previous provisions, a scale that has not been adequately explained by government officials.
The timing of the proposal, coming as the Independent National Electoral Commission prepares for the 2027 elections, has added to political tensions. Opposition parties have expressed concern that the fund could be used to prolong legal battles or that its existence might encourage more post-election challenges than would otherwise be filed. The National Assembly is expected to scrutinise the allocation during budget deliberations, with some lawmakers already signalling intent to seek reductions or clearer justifications.
