The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has allayed fears that the involvement of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in funding its new national headquarters would undermine its neutrality and autonomy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

President Bola Tinubu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the new INEC national secretariat, at the Maitama district of the FCT, which will be solely funded by the FCT administration.

The development had however attracted fears and rejections from the opposition political parties, with the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), describing it as a move to compromise the election umpire ahead of the 2027 polls.

Secretary General of CUPP, Peter Ameh, in a statement described INECs acceptance of the FCTA gesture as a dangerous threat to the commission’s autonomy and neutrality ahead of the 2027 polls.

But INEC, while reaffirming its autonomy in a statement by the Director and Head of Voter Education and Publicity Department, Victoria Etta Messi, said the commission’s constitutional autonomy remains intact, even as she emphasised that staff welfare remains central to its institutional priorities.

Messi, while addressing what she described as “misleading narratives” around the role of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) in the project and concerns that the Commission is allegedly placing infrastructure above the welfare of its workforce, stated, “INEC remains firmly guided by the principles of independence and non-partisanship as provided in Sections 158(1) and 81(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she stated.

“These provisions guarantee the Commission’s operational and financial autonomy, which remain intact and unshaken.”

She noted that the involvement of the FCDA in the ongoing project is entirely consistent with historical precedent and administrative practice. According to her, the FCDA has long provided institutional accommodation to federal establishments within the Federal Capital Territory, including INEC, notably during its relocation from Lagos to Abuja in 1991 and again in 1997 when the current headquarters building was constructed.

“This is the third time in 34 years that the FCDA is supporting INEC with office infrastructure,” Mrs. Eta-Messi said. “It is neither new nor extraordinary, it is a continuation of a lawful, longstanding precedent.”

The new annex, she explained, is not just a structure of convenience but a strategic investment aimed at addressing critical operational needs. The building will house additional office space, a 1,000-seat auditorium, modern conference and meeting rooms, as well as purpose-built facilities for key electoral operations such as the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC).

She said, “Infrastructure is staff welfare, the current headquarters was originally built to accommodate 500 staff, eight commissioners, and ten departments. Today, the Commission operates with more than 1,000 staff, 13 Commission members, and 22 departments. The resulting congestion has a direct impact on productivity, morale, and efficiency.

“The 2027 General Election is not threatened by improved infrastructure. It is in fact, strengthened when the men and women who drive the electoral process are given the tools, space, and support to perform effectively.”