INEC decries governors interference in LG elections

INEC decries governors interference in LG elections

Joel Oladele, Abuja 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed deep concern over the interference of state governors in local government elections. 

This was highlighted by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a courtesy call by the Executive Members of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions (FOSIECOM) at the INEC National Headquarters, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Welcoming the FOSIECOM delegation, led by Chief Barrister Jossy Chibundu Eze, Chairman of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Yakubu emphasized the constitutional mandates of both INEC and State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) in conducting various elections.

According to him, While INEC handles national and state-level elections, SIECs are responsible for local government polls.

He lamented that local government elections in most states have become mere formalities, favoring candidates from ruling parties. He called for an end to this practice, urging state governors to allow SIECs greater autonomy. 

The Chairman stated issues such as the lack of functional offices, inadequate staffing, and insufficient resources faced by many SIECs, as factors hindering their ability to conduct credible elections.

“State Governors should allow the SIECs to have greater capacity for independent action. Many of the SIECs have no functional offices in the Local Government Areas in their States and cannot recruit their own permanent staff,” Yakubu stated. He noted that in some states, SIECs are not properly constituted, lack security of tenure, or have their critical functions taken over by government officials. Additionally, some SIECs are only formed right before elections and dissolved afterward.

Yakubu clarified that INEC’s support to SIECs would now be largely limited to providing the voters’ register, as the Commission cannot extend extensive support given its own responsibilities and limited budget.

He also addressed the confusion among the public and stakeholders, who often mistake SIECs for INEC, calling for a reconsideration of their relationship. He reiterated that while SIECs conduct elections for 768 local government chairmen and 8,747 councillors across Nigeria, INEC is responsible for elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), covering six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councillors.

Prof. Yakubu expressed hope that the model used by INEC in the FCT, which includes regular elections, security of tenure, and plural electoral outcomes, could serve as a template for local government elections nationwide. 

He therefore urged FOSIECOM to demonstrate the courage and determination needed to protect the integrity and credibility of elections, despite legal and financial constraints.

“While there are legal and financial constraints to your operations, your independence does not necessarily draw from statutory or financial provisions alone. The courage with which you discharge your obligation to protect the integrity and credibility of elections is the most important determinant of success,” Yakubu remarked.

He assured FOSIECOM of INEC’s continued support in pushing the boundaries of electoral reform and improving the conduct of local government elections in Nigeria.