INEC lacks constitutional authority to conduct LG elections – Yakubu

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The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated that the commission lacks the constitutional authority to conduct local government elections, except in the Federal Capital Territory.

Yakubu made this remark during a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners on Monday in Lagos. The retreat aims to prepare the RECs for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, scheduled for September and November, respectively.

Addressing calls for constitutional support for INEC to take on the responsibility of conducting local government elections, Yakubu described the issue as a “constitutional matter.”

He said that without the necessary constitutional amendments, INEC will remain focused on organizing national and state elections.

“The same section of the Constitution that establishes INEC also establishes the State Independent Electoral Commission 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.

“For now, INEC can only conduct the local government elections in the Federal Capital Territory with six area council chairmen and 62 councillors.

“And it is in the FCT, the conduct of council elections has been regular and we are proud of what we have done to the best of our capacity.

“So, we are encouraged by what we have done, but as for taking over the LG elections in the states, the constitution has to be amended, and we are not there yet,’’ Yakubu said.

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The INEC Chairman’s came after the News Agency of Nigeria reported that some Nigerians are advocating for the dissolution of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process, aiming to allow INEC to oversee local government elections.

Proponents argue that state governors are misappropriating local councils’ allocations due to irregularities in the conduct of the LG polls.

They believe that transferring this responsibility to INEC would ensure greater independence and transparency.

In March, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), also called for the scrapping of SIECs.

Fagbemi had suggested that SIEC’s functions should be transferred to INEC to enhance the independence and transparency of local government elections in the country.