By Abiola Olawale
The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu has declared that the electoral commission can conduct local government elections in the country, a statement which has triggered mixed reactions from Nigerians.
The INEC boss stated this during his presentation of the budget for the Ondo and Edo off-cycle elections to a Joint National Assembly Committee on Electoral Matters, Yakubu stated that INEC has been effectively managing presidential and state elections.
According to Yakubu, conducting local government elections by INEC would be well within the capabilities of the electoral commission.
The INEC Chief’s comment comes weeks after the Supreme Court granted financial autonomy to local governments (LGs) in Nigeria.
Following the verdict, several individuals have called on the government to establish an electoral body that would conduct a free and fair election in the 774 local government areas of the country.
However, Yakubu in his submission held that INEC is capable of assuming responsibilities for conducting local government elections.
Mahmood explained that the commission, which currently conducts hitch-free elections in the 62 wards in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area councils in addition to national and state government positions, can conveniently conduct the same across the 774 local government areas with the amendments of certain provisions of the electoral laws.
Speaking on the September 21, 2024, Edo governorship poll and the November 16, 2024, Ondo governorship election, the INEC boss urged Nigerians to appreciate the tremendous technological improvements of the commission.
He ruled out frequent malfunctions of the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal that characterised the 2023 presidential election, maintaining that the commission has learnt its lessons.
He further explained that the commission has no fears regarding the funding for off-cycle elections, as the executive has pledged to release funds for the seven by-elections before the commission.
Again, Mahmood appealed to the lawmakers to speedily pass the Electoral Offenders Bill under the current Assembly to empower the commission with the capacity and resources to effect arrests, thoroughly investigate electoral offences and mitigate electoral malfeasance.
This comment has been generating mixed reactions with many lashing the electoral body for alleged failures in the past. Dr peter Okon said INEC lacks the capacity to conduct council polls as it has failed woefully in the past.
But another commentator, Obong Etubong Bassey said the government should saddle INEC with the task of conducting council polls across Nigeria.
