Relocation Will Strengthen Electoral Integrity – Prof. Mahmood Yakubu
To further safeguard Nigeria’s electoral integrity, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed to state governments and local communities for urgent support in securing land and facilities to house its state offices.
This ambitious relocation effort seeks to enhance the Commission’s independence and operational efficiency nationwide.
Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, highlighted the critical importance of the initiative on November 21, 2024, during a meeting with the House Committee on Electoral Matters at the National Assembly Complex.
Leading a high-profile delegation, Yakubu emphasized the need to move INEC offices out of local government secretariats and into Commission-owned properties to ensure impartial and efficient electoral operations.
Relocating these offices is not just a logistical adjustment; it is a cornerstone of our independence and effectiveness. Yakubu asserted.
Still speaking, Yakubu hinted at several obstacles to the relocation effort, including a scarcity of available land in some regions and the significant financial burden of maintaining INEC’s extensive network of facilities.
According to him, the Commission currently manages 774 local government offices, 37 state offices, and a national headquarters, all of which face routine maintenance issues, vandalism, and periodic attacks.
The cost of reconstruction is staggering. He said.
Our primary funding source, the general election budget, operates on a four-year cycle, making it challenging to address these issues promptly.
The meeting was backed by Lawmakers’ drive for INEC’s Independence and with a directive from the House of Representatives urging INEC to fast-track the relocation process and concerns that housing INEC offices within local government premises could compromise the Commission’s independence and transparency.
Responding to their queries, Yakubu reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to navigating these hurdles, stressing the importance of continuous dialogue with state governments and communities to facilitate the transition.
Few Nigerians realize the scale of our operations and the challenges involved. This relocation is not just a logistical necessity; it’s a critical step in safeguarding the integrity of our electoral process. Yakubu stated.
The discussions have sparked widespread public interest, with many Nigerians optimistic that this transition will fortify the country’s democratic institutions, noting that the relocation is more than a structural adjustment, but a decisive step toward reinforcing Nigeria’s democratic values and protecting electoral integrity.
As the commission proceeds, the focus is to see how INEC tends to overcome these logistical and financial challenges in its mission to strengthen the electoral process.
