The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, don talk say di commission no get constitutional authority to conduct local government elections, except within di Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Professor Yakubu tok this one during a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) wey dem hold on Monday for Lagos.
Di retreat aim na to prepare di RECs for di forthcoming governorship elections for Edo and Ondo states, wey dem schedule for September and November respectively.
Addressing di ongoing debate about extending INEC’s responsibilities to include local government elections nationwide, Professor Yakubu emphasize say such change go require constitutional amendments.
“The same section of the Constitution wey establish INEC also establish the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), and we no fit take over their duties,” Yakubu explain.
Di INEC Chairman acknowledge di advocacy efforts wey dey push for di commission to oversee all elections across di country but maintain say na constitutional matter. “E good make people engage in advocacy for INEC to take charge of all elections, but di Constitution go need to amend before dat one fit happen,” he talk.
Currently, INEC’s mandate dey limited to organizing national and state elections, while SIECs dey responsible for local government elections within their respective states. This division of responsibilities dey enshrined in di Nigerian Constitution, and na legislative process go need to change am.
Di induction retreat for Lagos na part of INEC’s ongoing efforts to enhance di capacity of its electoral commissioners, ensuring efficient and credible elections in di upcoming gubernatorial contests for Edo and Ondo states. Di sessions focus on various aspects of electoral management, emphasizing best practices and strategies to mitigate challenges during di electoral process.
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