By Ihechi Enyinnaya
Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stated that the commission does not have the constitutional authority to conduct local council elections, except in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Yakubu made this remark during a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Lagos.
Addressing calls for constitutional support to allow INEC to handle local council elections, Yakubu clarified that this is a constitutional issue. He emphasized that, without necessary amendments to the constitution, INEC’s mandate remains limited to national and state elections.
“The same section of the constitution that establishes INEC also establishes the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), and we cannot take over their duties,” Yakubu explained. “Advocating for INEC to oversee all elections is valid, but the constitution must be amended for that to happen.”
He further added, “For now, INEC can only conduct local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory, which includes six area council chairmen and 62 councillors. We are proud of our performance in these elections, but taking over state elections would require constitutional amendments, and we are not there yet.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that some Nigerians are pushing for the dissolution of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) as part of ongoing constitutional amendments. They argue that state governors manipulate local council allocations due to irregularities in LG polls.
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), also called for the scrapping of SIECs in March. Fagbemi advocated for transferring SIEC’s responsibilities to INEC to ensure independence and transparency in local government elections.