Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), clarified that the commission does not have the constitutional authority to conduct local government elections outside of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
His statement came during a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Lagos on Monday.
Addressing calls for INEC to be granted the responsibility of overseeing local council elections, Yakubu emphasized that this issue is a constitutional matter. He stated that, without the necessary constitutional amendments, INEC’s mandate will remain limited to organizing 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.
Yakubu acknowledged the advocacy for INEC to oversee all elections but stressed that constitutional changes are required for this shift in responsibility. Currently, INEC is only authorized to conduct local government elections in the FCT, which involve six area council chairmen and 62 councillors.
Expressing pride in the regularity and efficiency of FCT elections, Yakubu stated, “For now, INEC can only conduct the local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory with six area council chairmen and 62 councillors. We are encouraged by what we have done, but as for taking over state elections, the constitution has to be amended, and we are not there yet.”
Yakubu’s remarks highlight the limitations imposed by the constitution and the need for amendments to expand INEC’s responsibilities to include state-level local government elections.
