Tag: Mahmood Yakubu

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to strictly follow the Electoral Act in conducting local government elections nationwide.

INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, made this call during a courtesy visit by the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He stressed the importance of Sections 98 to 113 and Section 151 of the Electoral Act 2022, which apply to local elections across the country.

Yakubu said challenges faced by SIECs go beyond funding, noting that processes and procedures must be clearly defined for effective elections.

He criticised a recent case where a state issued only 21 days’ notice for local elections, calling it unlawful and practically unworkable.

According to Yakubu, such short notice violates the law and Supreme Court rulings, leaving insufficient time for proper election preparation.

He urged SIECs to emulate INEC’s consistency in conducting local elections, as done regularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He recalled INEC released the FCT election timetable over 360 days in advance, in full compliance with legal requirements.

Yakubu questioned how elections could be organised within 21 days, including party primaries, campaigns, and voter education.

He added it was impossible to recruit and train staff, manage logistics, and secure elections within such a short timeframe.

Yakubu reaffirmed INEC’s support for SIECs through technical help, capacity building, and knowledge sharing.

He said INEC would continue to provide voters’ registers, polling unit lists, and political party lists promptly.

“No SIEC has ever been denied support. We’ve always fulfilled this responsibility and will continue doing so,” Yakubu said.

He said the best collaboration would be for SIECs to conduct local elections like INEC does in the FCT.

“Your role is critical to ensuring credible elections across Nigeria,” he added.

FOSIECON Chairman, Mamman Eri, said the visit aimed to strengthen collaboration between INEC and SIECs.

Eri, who also chairs Kogi State Electoral Commission, said FOSIECON’s new leadership prioritises integrity, transparency, and synergy with INEC.

He said a closer partnership would help consolidate democracy, particularly at the grassroots level.

Eri added that credible local elections were crucial to democratic development in Nigeria.

With proper support, SIECs could deliver elections that meet both national and international standards, he said.

He called for INEC’s help in deploying technology and building systems to improve election management.

He also requested support for capacity development and experience sharing among electoral bodies.

Eri asked INEC for guidance on the recent Supreme Court ruling that annulled Rivers State’s local government elections.

He said while state laws govern most local elections, the ruling affirmed INEC’s legal procedures.

“Many of us face the issue of 90 days’ notice. The judgment referred to a 360-day period,” he said.

He asked how state laws can align with National Assembly laws and INEC’s procedures in light of the court ruling.

Eri said many SIECs lack financial means to follow these large and complex procedures.

“Most states are not financially autonomous. We often seek funds from the executive before elections,” he said.

He urged INEC to advocate for financial independence for SIECs, which he said would lead to better outcomes.

Eri described the visit as reaffirming FOSIECON’s commitment to credible elections and shared democratic goals.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has fixed August 16 for the conduct of outstanding by-elections in 16 constituencies across 12 States.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu announced this during the commission’s quarterly meeting with political parties on Thursday in Abuja.

Yakubu noted that the commission would be deploy 30,451 officials for the by-elections involving a total of 3,553,659 registered voters spread across 32 Local Government Areas in 356 wards and 6,987 polling units.

He recalled that in the last two years since the inauguration of the national and state assemblies in June 2023, vacancies requiring by-elections had occurred nationwide.

Yakubu also recalled that in February 2025, INEC conducted nine bye-elections to fill vacancies resulting from the deaths or resignation of members of the national and state assemblies, noting that more vacancies had occurred.

“The outstanding bye-elections involve two senatorial districts of Anambra South and Edo Central.

“Five federal constituencies of Ovia South-West/Ovia South-East in Edo, Babura/Garki in Jigawa, Chikun/Kajuru in Kaduna State, Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North in Ogun and Ibadan North in Oyo.

“Nine state constituencies of Ganye in Adamawa, Onitsha North I in Anambra, Dekina/Okura in Kogi, Zaria Kewaye and Basawa both in Kaduna State.

“Other constituencies are Bagwai/Shanono in Kano State, Mariga in Niger, Karim Lamido I in Taraba and Kauran Namoda South in Zamfara,’’ Yakubu said.

He, however, said that in spite of the declaration of vacancies, the by-elections would not hold in Khana II State Constituency in Rivers and state constituencies in Rivers and Talata Mafara South state constituency in Zamfara.

H explained that the non-conduct of by-elections in Rivers was as a result of the current state of emergency in the state.

He said for Zamfara, it was due to a pending legal issue.

“Unlike the general elections or off-cycle governorship elections, there is a tight time frame for the conduct of bye-elections.

“Party primaries would be held between July 17 and July 21, while the online portal for submission of nomination forms will open at 9.00am on July 22 and end at 6.00pm on July 26.

“Campaign in public will commence on Aug.2 2025 and end at midnight on Aug.14 2025, noting that is 24 hours before election day,’’ he said.

Yakubu, also said that the by-elections, would be conducted the two outstanding court-ordered re-run state constituencies elections in Enugu and Kano that were severally disrupted by thuggery and violence.

“The constituencies are Enugu South I state constituency and the Ghari/Tsanyawa State constituency in Kano State,’’ he said.

He said that the details information on the by-elections would shortly be uploaded on the commission’s website and other platforms for public information.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received 110 applications for new political parties, Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu has disclosed.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Prof. Yakubu made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday.

“As at Monday, 23rd June 2025, the Commission has received letters of intent from 110 associations that wish to register as political parties.

“We are diligently processing the requests in line with the procedure outlined in the law as well as our Regulations and Guidelines.

“We have acknowledged all requests received so far, except six of them received recently, which will be done before the end of the week.

“For emphasis, I wish to inform Nigerians, particularly those interested in registering new political parties, that the handbook containing the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022 is already available on the Commission’s website.

“Meanwhile, the Commission is today releasing the full list of the 110 associations seeking registration as political parties, indicating their proposed names, acronyms, addresses and the names of their Chairmen and Secretaries.

“For transparency and public information, the list will be uploaded to our website and social media platforms shortly, while hard copies are included in your folders for this meeting,” Yakubu stated.

Details shortly…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday deployed the newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to fill existing vacancies in six states.

The six RECs were deployed shortly after they took oath of office at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

The new RECs include Dr Sa’ad Idris, the Director-General of The Electoral Institute, Dr Johnson Sinikiem, Mrs Feyijimi Ibiyemi, Mukhtar Gajiram, Chukwuemeka Ibeziako and Umar Garba.

Idris was deployed to Gombe, Sinikiem to Cross River, Ibiyemi to Ogun, Gajiram to Taraba, Ibeziako to Abia and Garba to Sokoto.

Sinikiem and Gajiram were reappointed for a second term in office, Idris and Feyijimi Saseyi Ibiyemi are career staff of the Commission.

Before the appointment, Ibeziako was a private legal practitioner, while Garba also had years of experience in the private sector.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, in a remark at the brief ceremony, said that with the deployment of the six RECs, all vacancies had been filled in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Yakubu urged the RECs to justify the confidence reposed in them.

He advised them to focus on their responsibilities; be guided by the electoral legal framework, the code of conduct for RECs as well as the commission’s operation guidelines.

Yakubu also advised them to act in line with their oath of office and prudently manage the commission’s resources entrusted to them.

“Your appointment is a full-time and not part-time responsibility. You must provide leadership and exercise effective supervision.

“You can only succeed in this responsibility when you are knowledgeable about the commission’s activities, particularly the innovations introduced in election management,” he said

The INEC boss emphasised the need for them to operate within the limits of their delegated powers and responsibilities.

“You must never act independently or think that you can act in violation of the law, regulations and guidelines or defy the commission without consequences.

“We will hold you accountable for your actions and inactions. We will not hesitate to deal with acts of defiance, indiscretion or transgression on the part of any REC,” he said.

Idris, who spoke on behalf of the new RECs, lauded President Bola Tinubu, the chairman of INEC and members of the commission, for the opportunity given to them to serve.

Idris pledged that they would serve diligently and they would not take lightly, the noble call to serve Nigeria.

“As we assume the new role, we do so with a clear understanding of the weight of the responsibility before us.

“The role of a REC is central to the integrity of our electoral process and the sustenance of democracy.

“We are fully aware that the credibility of elections rest not only on systems and structures but also on character and commitment to those entrusted to manage them,” he said.

Idris assured INEC and Nigerians of their total dedication and loyalty to the values and objectives of the commission.

“We pledge to discharge our duties with utmost integrity, impartiality, and professionalism.

“We are committed to upholding the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, and the Guidelines, Regulations and all policies of the Commission in all circumstances.

“We are also deeply committed to promoting voter education, encouraging citizens participation, and ensuring that every vote counts.

“We will work tirelessly with stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organisations, the media, and security agencies, to build trust and strengthen the electoral process in our states of deployment,” he said.

Idris commended Yakubu’s visionary and examplary leadership, which he said had continued to inspire confidence, trust and transparency in the electoral process.

Meanwhile, the commission also redeployed some existing RECs.

They included Aminu Idris to FCT, Prof. Gabriel Yomeri to Rivers, Dr Hale Longpet to Kwara, Dr Agundu Tersoo to Kogi, Mahmuda ISA to Zamfara, Mohammed Sadiq to Plateau, and Mohammed Nura to Adamawa.

Others are Prof. Saidu Ahmed to Kaduna state, Umar Ibrahim to Bauchi state,Isha Ehimeakhe to Bayelsa and Mr Obi Effanga to Akwa Ibom.