The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has reiterated that the commission lacks the constitutional authority to conduct local government elections, except within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). 

Professor Yakubu made this clarification during a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) held on Monday in Lagos.

The retreat aimed to prepare the RECs for the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, scheduled for September and November respectively.

Addressing the ongoing debate about extending INEC’s responsibilities to include local government elections nationwide, Professor Yakubu emphasized that such a change would require constitutional amendments. 

“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.

The INEC Chairman acknowledged the advocacy efforts pushing for the commission to oversee all elections across the country but maintained that it remains a constitutional matter. “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,” he stated.

Currently, INEC’s mandate is limited to organizing national and state elections, while SIECs are responsible for local government elections within their respective states. This division of responsibilities is enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, necessitating a legislative process to alter.

The induction retreat in Lagos is part of INEC’s ongoing efforts to enhance the capacity of its electoral commissioners, ensuring efficient and credible elections in the upcoming gubernatorial contests in Edo and Ondo states. The sessions focused on various aspects of electoral management, emphasizing best practices and strategies to mitigate challenges during the electoral process.

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