To reduce expenses, the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters has recommended a 30% salary cut for members of the National Assembly, including Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas, and a 40% reduction for members of President Bola Tinubu’s executive branch.
This recommendation was made during an interactive session with the Judiciary and political parties, chaired by Senator Sharafadeen Alli, who leads the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters. Political parties also suggested holding all elections—presidential, National Assembly, governorship, and State Houses of Assembly—on a single day, arguing that the current staggered election system is not cost-effective.
Furthermore, they proposed linking continuous voter registration with the National Identity Number (NIN) to enhance security and reduce costs associated with voter registration.
Among the 35 proposals submitted, political parties also called for the appointment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman to be publicly advertised, rather than selected by the executive.
The Chairman of the joint committee pledged to consult with INEC and the Nigerian public to gather feedback and ensure future elections are conducted smoothly.
These proposals come amid growing calls from Nigerians for the government to cut its spending, as citizens continue to face economic challenges.
President Tinubu has consistently urged Nigerians to remain hopeful, expressing confidence that his economic policies will ultimately benefit the people.
