The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, has expressed confidence in the commission’s ability to conduct local government elections across Nigeria, provided it is equipped with the necessary resources. Drawing from INEC’s experience in conducting area council polls in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Yakubu asserted that entrusting INEC with local government elections would eliminate the use of caretaker committees to manage local councils.
Speaking on Thursday before the National Assembly Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Committees, Yakubu responded to inquiries about the commission’s stance on the recent Supreme Court verdict granting financial autonomy to local governments. He addressed calls for either unbundling INEC or establishing a new federal agency for council polls, affirming INEC’s capability, competence, and experience to manage elections across the country’s 774 councils.
Yakubu cited INEC’s success in the six FCT Area Councils and its frequent conduct of off-season and bye-elections as evidence of its readiness. He highlighted INEC’s proven track record in managing federal and state elections as further proof of its capacity to handle local government polls.
“So if this responsibility for the conduct of local government elections is transferred to INEC, can INEC cope? The answer is yes, INEC can cope,” Yakubu stated. “We conduct governorship elections, state Assembly elections, and area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory. Our track record proves that we can do it.”
Yakubu noted that INEC has consistently conducted local government elections in the FCT without resorting to caretaker committees, ensuring stability and security of tenure. He pointed to the recent amendment to the Electoral Act, which provides a four-year tenure for FCT area councils, as a testament to INEC’s effective management.
He also mentioned the even split of political party victories in the FCT, with chairmen positions divided between the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, demonstrating INEC’s impartiality and effectiveness.
Yakubu further emphasised, “In terms of capacity to do it, we can do it. We have been doing it in the Federal Capital Territory.”
However, Yakubu acknowledged that constitutional amendments would be necessary for INEC to take on additional responsibilities for local government elections. He highlighted the need for engagement with the National Assembly to determine whether the Federal Government would fund these elections or if a new federal electoral commission for local government elections should be established.
Yakubu also cautioned against unbundling INEC beyond its electoral activities, suggesting that other responsibilities could be managed by different agencies, as recommended by various committees since 2008, including the Justice Mohammed Uwais Commission.
He assured the joint panel that INEC is well-prepared for upcoming off-cycle elections in Edo and Ondo states and has budgeted for outstanding by-elections in seven federal and state legislative constituencies. Additionally, Yakubu confirmed that the commission’s 2024 budget is being adequately funded, with monthly releases of N23.3 billion out of the N40 billion appropriated for the year.
