Auditor-General Flags N288bn in INEC Spending Under Yakubu, Commission Defends Payments

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has responded to the Auditor-General’s latest report, which highlighted N288,188,772,947.06 in questioned spending, insisting that all payments were made in line with due process and approved by the Presidency.

The figures were disclosed in the Auditor-General’s Annual Report on Non-Compliance and Internal Control Weaknesses in MDAs for 2022. The report flagged multiple breaches of procurement rules, including payments to contractors without proper documentation, non-retirement of advances, and failure to remit statutory deductions during Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure as chairman from 2018 to 2019.

Among the issues cited was N5.31bn paid for Smart Card Readers (SCRs) for the 2019 general elections through a restricted procurement process without prior approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). The report noted that the contract exceeded the Tender Board’s approval limit and was not sanctioned by the Federal Executive Council, although presidential approval had been obtained, an action deemed inconsistent with the Public Procurement Act.

Other payments flagged included N4.51bn disbursed as 35 per cent contract sums to six contractors without documentary proof of supply, N331m paid under questionable circumstances, and N235.8bn paid to contractors without deducting the mandatory 1 per cent stamp duty. The report also highlighted N630.6m in unretired non-personal advances to INEC officials, contracts worth N41.31bn for ballot papers and result sheets without evidence of contractor eligibility, and the purchase of four Toyota Land Cruisers for N297.78m, far above market value.

The flagged payments were made under Prof Mahmood Yakubu, former chairman of the commission.

INEC management, however, maintained that all procurement and payments were properly executed, citing presidential approvals and the urgency of election-related contracts. The commission explained that mobilisation payments for the SCRs were necessary to ensure timely delivery, with all required documentation, including advance payment guarantees, duly on file.

“Enhancement was already in process before the payment of 15% mobilisation due to the urgency of the contract for the 2019 general election. All documents required are in the file. Approval was granted by the Presidency via a letter Ref.No.SH/COS/28/A/394 of 30th July 2018. The 15% payment was made before the 25% as the law requires, and due to the urgency, presidential approval was obtained for procurement of components for the Smart Card Reader,” INEC stated.

Despite these defenses, the Auditor-General described several responses as unsatisfactory, warning that the audit findings remain valid until recommendations are implemented. The report urged the INEC chairman to account to the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committees, recover irregular payments, and remit funds to the treasury.

“Otherwise, sanctions relating to irregular payment and failure to manage public funds effectively, as prescribed in paragraphs 3106 and 3115 of the Financial Regulations (2009), should apply,” the report cautioned.