According to reports, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, declared on Thursday that the electoral body is fully equipped to conduct local government elections across Nigeria, provided it receives the necessary resources.
This statement follows the Supreme Court's verdict on financial autonomy for local government councils.
Speaking before the National Assembly Joint Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters in Abuja, Yakubu emphasized INEC's capability, citing its successful track record in managing elections at federal, state, and local levels, including the six Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils.
He noted that INEC's competence, human resources, and extensive experience make it well-suited for the task.
He highlighted that INEC has consistently conducted federal and state elections efficiently, underscoring its preparedness to extend this to local government elections.
Yakubu pointed to the FCT as a model, where INEC has conducted regular local government elections without interruptions from caretaker committees, ensuring stability and security of tenure for elected officials.
This, he argued, demonstrates INEC's capacity to manage local elections effectively.
However, Yakubu acknowledged that certain constitutional amendments would be necessary for INEC to assume full responsibility for local government elections.
He raised questions about the funding responsibilities, suggesting that while the Federal Government currently funds elections, there needs to be clarity on whether local governments would bear the cost of their elections.
Yakubu also mentioned that there have been discussions about creating a new federal electoral commission specifically for local government elections.
Despite differing opinions on whether state electoral commissions should continue to handle local elections, Yakubu emphasized that the current constitution mandates their existence alongside INEC.
The INEC Chairman assured the joint panel that the commission is making adequate arrangements for upcoming off-cycle elections in Edo and Ondo States and is prepared for the outstanding by-elections in several federal and state legislative constituencies.
He also reported that INEC's 2024 budget is being adequately funded by the Ministry of Finance, with regular monthly releases to support its operations.
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