INEC Can Conduct LG Polls --- Yakubu

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, has said the commission can conduct local government elections in the country.

He made this statement when he appeared before the National Assembly Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Committees.

He said if the electorial body were saddled with the responsibility to conduct LG Polls, it would put an end to the use of caretaker committees to conduct the election.

Yakubu acknowledged calls for the unbundling of INEC or the creation of a new federal agency for conducting council polls.

He said INEC, under his leadership, possessed the capacity, competence, human resources, and experience needed to conduct local government elections across Nigeria’s 774 councils.

Yakubu stated, “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. What are we? By definition, INEC is the Independent National Electoral Commission. Right now, we do national elections, state elections, and local government elections?

“A national electoral commission may be expected to implement only the presidential and National Assembly elections. We also conduct governorship elections, state Assembly elections, and area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory. Our track record proves that we can do it. In the Federal Capital Territory, there are six area councils, 62 wards, and councillorship elections.

“This is one part of the country where INEC has conducted local government elections regularly, without caretaker committees, ensuring stability and security of tenure. The recent amendment to the Electoral Act provides a four-year tenure for area councils in the FCT.” 

He further stated, “So in terms of capacity to do it, we can do it, we have been doing it in the Federal Capital Territory.

“However, if the National Assembly decides to amend the Constitution, we need engagement with the National Assembly for certain amendments to handle additional responsibilities."