The Chairman of the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, says the fee has no constitutional energy to conduct native authorities elections besides within the Federal Capital Territory.
Yakubu stated this on the sidelines of a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners on Monday in Lagos.
The retreat is to organize the RECs forward of the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states in September and November, respectively.
Reacting to the agitation looking for constitutional backing for INEC to be saddled with the duty of conducting LG elections, Yakubu described it as ‘a constitutional matter’.
Based on him, until vital constitutional amendments are made, INEC will solely proceed to organise nationwide and state elections.
“The identical part of the Structure that establishes INEC additionally establishes the State Unbiased Electoral Fee and we can’t take over their duties.
“It’s good for folks to have interaction in advocacy for INEC to take cost of the entire elections, however the Structure must be amended for that to occur.
“For now, INEC can solely conduct the native authorities elections within the Federal Capital Territory with six space council chairmen and 62 councillors.
“And it’s within the FCT, the conduct of council elections has been common and we’re happy with what now we have executed to the very best of our capability.
“So, we’re inspired by what now we have executed, however as for taking on the LG elections within the states, the structure must be amended, and we aren’t there but,’’ Yakubu stated.
The Information Company of Nigeria studies that some Nigerians are canvassing for the dissolution of the SIECs within the ongoing constitutional modification, to pave the best way for INEC to take cost of native authorities elections.
The proponents imagine that state governors are hijacking native councils’ allocation as a consequence of irregularities within the conduct of the LG polls.
The Lawyer Common of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), in March this 12 months known as for the scrapping of SIECs.
Fagbemi stated that SIEC’s perform needs to be transferred to INEC, to make sure independence and transparency within the final result of native authorities elections within the nation.
In the meantime, the INEC Chairman stated the retreat was to organize the previous and new RECs for the elections coming forward.
Yakubu emphasised the retreat’s function not solely in inducting new RECs but additionally in reviewing and enhancing INEC’s operational capabilities.
He stated, “Right now’s retreat is held in opposition to the background of forthcoming governorship elections in Edo State within the subsequent 81 days and Ondo State within the 137 days.
“As well as, there are 5 pending bye-elections for Babura/Garki Federal Constituency of Jigawa State and 4 State constituencies: Khana II of Rivers State, Bagwai/Shanono of Kano State, Zaria Kewaye of Kaduna State and Ganye of Adamawa State. These excellent bye-elections carry the full of such elections to 14 because the inauguration of the nationwide and state assemblies in June final 12 months.
“Wanting ahead, there are 4 main elections earlier than the following common elections in 2027. The Anambra State Governorship election subsequent 12 months shall be adopted in 2026 by the Ekiti and Osun State governorship elections and, I need to remind you in case you overlook, the Space Council elections within the Federal Capital Territory.
“Due to this fact, as we expect, mirror and innovate for credible elections, we’re additionally immediately implementing the reforms and improvements that we are able to introduce by administrative motion. Because the election is a course of ruled by legislation, we additionally plan to accentuate our engagement with the Nationwide Meeting for actions that require authorized reform.”
The INEC Chairman harassed the significance of coaching and equipping the brand new RECs with the information and expertise required to successfully deal with the upcoming polls.
“As new RECs, we should always deal with how we are able to acquaint ourselves extra with the processes and procedures of the fee. For the veterans, we should always leverage our privileged subject expertise to contribute how you can mitigate recurring challenges within the areas of pre-election and post-election litigation, operational points, particularly within the space of logistics, an enchancment on voter training processes, problems with strategic communication and combating pretend information, misinformation and disinformation in addition to inclusivity within the electoral course of, voter registration, allotting voters to polling models, the function of know-how from pre-election actions to Election Day processes, political celebration points, primarily arising from management disaster and the administration of celebration primaries, the recruitment and coaching of election obligation officers, election safety and our code of conduct.”
He underscored the fee’s dedication to truthful and credible polls.
The PUNCH studies that 9 of the RECs had been sworn in on December 12, 2023 whereas one was sworn in on January 30, 2024.
They had been deployed as follows: Abubakar Pawa, Kebbi; Abubakar Ahmed, Borno; Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, Edo State; Ehimeakhe Shaka Isah, Akwa Ibom; Aminu Idris, Kaduna; Mohammed Abubakar, Kwara; Oluwatoyin Babalola, Ondo; Olubunmi Omoseyindemi, Ekiti; Etekamba Umore, Delta; and Shehu Wahab, Nasarawa.