The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has clarified that INEC does not have the constitutional authority to conduct local government elections, except in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This statement was made during a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Lagos.
Prof. Yakubu addressed the growing calls for INEC to be given the responsibility to oversee local council elections across Nigeria. He stated, “The same section of the constitution that establishes INEC also establishes the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and we cannot take over their duties. It is good for people to engage in advocacy for INEC to take charge of the whole elections, but the constitution has to be amended for that to happen.”
Currently, INEC’s role is limited to organizing national and state elections. For local government elections, the responsibility lies with SIEC, except in the FCT, where INEC manages the elections for six area council chairmen and 62 councillors. Prof. Yakubu expressed pride in the conduct of these elections in the FCT, noting, “And it is in the FCT that the conduct of council elections has been regular and we are proud that the conduct of the elections there has been done to the best of our capacity.”
However, for INEC to take over local government elections in states, a constitutional amendment is required. This process is currently under discussion, with some Nigerians advocating for the dissolution of SIECs. They argue that state governors often interfere with local councils’ allocations due to irregularities in the conduct of the local government polls.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had earlier this year called for the scrapping of SIECs. He suggested that their functions should be transferred to INEC to ensure independence and transparency in local government elections.