Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has stated that the Commission lacks the constitutional authority to conduct local council elections, except in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Yakubu made this statement during a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on Monday in Lagos.
Responding to calls for INEC to be granted the power to conduct local council elections, Yakubu emphasized that the issue is a constitutional one. He highlighted that without the necessary constitutional amendments, INEC will remain responsible only for 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. He added, “While it is good for people to advocate for INEC to handle all elections, the Constitution must be amended for that to happen.”
Yakubu noted that currently, INEC is only authorized to conduct local government elections in the FCT, covering six area council chairmen and 62 councillors. “In the FCT, the conduct of council elections has been regular, and we are proud that these elections have been conducted to the best of our capacity,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming that for INEC to take over state elections, constitutional amendments are required, and “we are not there yet.”