Politics
LG elections, mere coronation of ruling parties candidates – INEC chairman
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has raised concerns about the conduct of local government elections in the country.
Yakubu described the elections as mere coronations of ruling party candidates, calling for significant reforms to ensure fair and credible elections.
The INEC chairman said this on Wednesday during a courtesy call by the executive members of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions.
He further criticised state governors for not allowing SIECs to operate independently.
He noted that many SIECs lack functional offices, permanent staff, and the security of tenure necessary to conduct free and fair elections.
“Realising our shared responsibility for the conduct of democratic elections in Nigeria and the challenges faced by SIECs in carrying out their mandates, INEC encouraged the establishment of FOSIECOM in a genuine effort to foster partnership for credible elections in Nigeria.
“Unfortunately, the conduct of local government elections in virtually all the states of the federation has become mere coronation of candidates of the ruling parties. It is time to stop the coronation and conduct proper elections.
“State governors should allow the SIECs to have greater capacity for independent action. Many of the SIECs have no functional offices in the Local Government Areas in their States and cannot recruit their permanent staff,” he said.
Mahmood lamented that in some states, these commissions were only constituted shortly before elections and dissolved immediately afterwards, with critical functions often taken over by government officials.
The chairman highlighted the severe underfunding of SIECs, which forces them to rely on INEC for basic election materials like ballot boxes and voting cubicles.
This dependency has led to confusion among the public, with many mistaking SIECs for INEC, he noted.
“In some states, the SIECs are either not properly constituted, have no security of tenure or their critical functions have been taken over by government officials. Some SIECs are only constituted on the eve of elections and dissolved thereafter.
“They are also severely under-resourced to the extent that some of them rely on INEC even for basic facilities such as ballot boxes and voting cubicles,” the chairman said.
Given INEC’s extensive responsibilities and limited federal budget, the chairman emphasised that INEC’s support to SIECs would be largely restricted to providing the voters’ register, as mandated by the Constitution.
He underscored that INEC cannot extend limitless support to other commissions for elections outside its mandate.
Yakubu noted, “Consequently, many Nigerians mistake the SIECs for INEC. Indeed, even some of the stakeholders, including candidates for Local Government elections, call them State INEC.
“This situation has forced us to reconsider some aspects of our relationship with the SIECs. Our support is now largely restricted to the voters’ register as provided by the Constitution.
“INEC cannot shoulder its extensive responsibilities and at the same time extend almost limitless support to other independent electoral commissions for elections outside our mandate across the country from our lean Federal budget.”
The chairman clarified the jurisdictional boundaries between INEC and SIECs, stating that while INEC was responsible for elections in the Federal Capital Territory, SIECs manage elections for 768 Local Government Chairmen and 8,747 Councillors across the country.
He pointed to the FCT elections conducted by INEC as a model for local covernment elections nationwide, noting improvements such as secure tenures for elected officials, regular elections, and diverse electoral outcomes.
No single party has ever dominated all constituencies in the Area Councils, he stated.
“INEC is not unaware of the ongoing discussions about the future of elections for the 774 Local Government Chairmen as well as Councillors representing the 8,809 electoral wards in Nigeria.
“However, under the extant law, the 36 SIECs are responsible for the election of 768 Local Government Chairmen and 8,747 Councillors, making a total of 9,515 constituencies. INEC conducts elections for the 68 constituencies in the FCT made up of six Area Council Chairmen and 62 Councillors, including bye-elections as they arise.
“It has been our earnest hope that the elections conducted by INEC in the FCT will provide a model for Local Government elections across the country. Despite the challenges encountered, there has been a progressive improvement in the conduct of the Area Council Elections in the FCT.
“There is security of tenure for Chairmen and Councillors which is now four years. There are no caretaker committees as elections are held regularly. There is plurality in electoral outcomes as no single party has ever won elections in all the constituencies in the Area Councils.
“Happily, the Electoral Act 2022 that now governs the conduct of national and Area Council elections also applies to Local Government elections nationwide. This has been made possible by the efforts of INEC arising from earlier discussions with FOSIECOM on the imperative of a model law to govern the conduct of Local Government elections across the country,” he added.
The INEC Chairman called on FOSIECOM to address the legal and financial challenges hindering their operations and to courageously protect the integrity and credibility of elections.
He stressed that true independence stems not only from statutory or financial provisions but also from the commitment to uphold democratic principles.
“I therefore appeal to FOSIECOM to take the bull by the horns. While there are legal and financial constraints to your operations, your independence does not necessarily draw from statutory or financial provisions alone.
“The courage with which you discharge your obligation to protect the integrity and credibility of elections is the most important determinant of success. There are no shortcuts to the discharge of this enormous responsibility.
“I want to reassure you that INEC will continue to work with you to push the boundaries of electoral reform. Working together, we should continue to explore all avenues under the law to improve the conduct of Local Government Elections in Nigeria.
“However, you should always bear in mind that INEC and other stakeholders can only help you, but there must be a determination on your part to do the needful,” he noted.
It was reported on May 13, 2024, a former member of the House of Representatives, called for the transfer of conduct of local government elections from State Electoral Commissions to INEC.
Onuigbo said if INEC conducts local government elections, it would minimise the manipulation of the process by governors.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Again, three members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during plenary at the National Assembly today.
The defection was formally announced during plenary and has immediately altered the political composition of Katsina’s representation in the House.
Lawmakers who Defected: Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri – Representing Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency Hon. Aliyu Iliyasu Ruma – Representing Batsari/Safana/Danmusa Federal Constituency Hon. Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai – Representing Bakori/Danja Federal Constituency
Defection Confirmed in House Plenary The Speaker of the House of Representatives formally acknowledged the defection letters submitted by the lawmakers. The legislators cited internal crises within the PDP in their respective constituencies and the inability of the party to uphold democratic principles as key reasons for their decision. Hon. Salisu Majigiri, a former chairman of the PDP in Katsina State, was considered one of the strongest opposition figures in the region. His move to the APC is seen as a major win for the ruling party, particularly ahead of future political calculations in the North-West.
The Nenadi Usman-led National Executive Council (NEC) of Labour Party (LP) has set up a five-man disciplinary committee to investigate alleged gross misconduct against Mr Julius Abure.
The NEC also gave Abure 48 hours to explain why disciplinary actions should not be taken against him over the alleged misconduct.
If found guilty, he may be expelled.
Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, Senator Nenadi Usman, made this known on Monday at a news conference in Abuja.
Usman said that the action was in the exercise of NEC’s constitutional mandate and in strict accordance with the disciplinary provisions of the party’s 2019 Constitution, as amended.
“The NEC in session hereby announces the commencement of disciplinary actions against Mr Abure.
“These actions have started with the constitution of a special investigative committee to review the actions of Mr Abure, as it affects the image and integrity of the party.
“NEC gives Mr Abure 48 hours notice to show why disciplinary actions should not be taken against him for his numerous acts of gross misconduct against the party.
“They are actions that threaten the unity, integrity and public image of our party,” she said.
Usman further stated that NEC took the decision due to Abure’s continued impersonation and misrepresentation of the office of the National Chairman.
“We can no longer stand by while the values we hold dear – transparency, discipline and democratic accountability – are undermined from within.
“This press conference is convened to address the growing concern over the misconduct and internal rascality plaguing our party.
“At a time when Nigerians are yearning for credible leadership and they see the Labour Party as a beacon of hope, it is regrettable that we must battle internal sabotage from those who should know better.
“Rather than unifying the party, he undermines it. Rather than attract credible Nigerians to come and join, he alienates them. Instead of advancing our collective vision, he pursues narrow personal ambitions,” Usman said.
The former Finance Minister said it was most painful that Abure targetted those who had brought credibility and national visibility to the party.
“Mr Peter Obi and Governor Alex Oti represent the aspirations of a new Nigeria. Governor Otti stands out today as one of the most effective and respected governors in the country.
“These men have sacrificed, not for personal gain but to give the Labour Party and Nigeria a real shot at transformation. What they demand is simple: a party that is transparent, democratic and accountable.
“Instead of embracing this vision, Mr Abure chooses confrontation and chaos. We say today, this must stop,” she said.
Usman said that a formal notice of the action would be sent to Abure.
The committee is chaired by Sen. Ireti Kingibe, with Mr Peter Ameh as the Secretary.
“Mr Abure is hereby warned to desist from parading himself as the National Chairman of the Labour Party or impersonating the office in any form.
“The apex court of the land has clearly and finally nullified his claim to leadership and his tenure has long expired by the passage of time,” Usman said.
She further said that NEC had passed a vote of confidence in Otti and Obi, adding that Abure had no moral authority to set up a disciplinary panel against the governor.
The Abure-led NEC had recently set up a disciplinary committee to probe what it called Otti’s anti-party activities.
Speaking further, Usman said that investigations had revealed that Abure illegally issued State Executive Committee letters every three months, in breach of LP’s constitutional provisions.
These, the former minister said, had been nullified.
She added that the leadership of the party would launch a nationwide membership registration and revalidation exercise in the coming weeks.
Responding to questions on the likelihood of the party going into coalition with others, the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Darlington Nwokocha, said that LP would only welcome any coalition that would be beneficial to it.
In attendance at the conference were stakeholders and elected members of the party in the National Assembly.
The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has suspended six prominent members of the party, including the party’s only elected governor, Alex Otti of Abia State.
This decision was contained in a statement issued by the faction’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk, in Abuja, on Wednesday.
He said, “Recall that last Friday, 2nd of May 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party set up a five-man Disciplinary Committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the National Secretary and three others to investigate Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, and any other party members over allegations of anti-party activities.
“The Disciplinary Committee has concluded their assignment and has submitted their report to the party leadership. The National Executive of the party met today, May 7th, 2025, and after exhaustive deliberation in line with powers donated to it by the Party Constitution, has ratified the recommendation as submitted by the Disciplinary Committee.
“Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect. 1. Dr Alex Otti; 2. Senator Ireti Kingibe; 3. Senator Darlington Nwokocha; 4. Hon. Victor Afam Ogene; 5. Hon. Amobi Ogah; 6. Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.”
“By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party. All concerned institutions, including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies, among others, are to take note.
The party also clarified that Nenadi Usman was not included in the suspension list because she is not a registered member of the Labour Party, but merely a supporter of its 2023 presidential candidate.
“We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party,” the statement added.
“She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, and her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations. Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption,” the statement added.
Reaffirming its position on political independence, the Labour Party declared that it will not enter into any coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Finally, the party has since taken a position on the issue of coalition, and we want to reiterate that the party is not interested in any overtures by any group or persons to go into any coalition or merger,” the statement added.
“Like we have earlier stated, the protagonists of the coalition, those driving the agenda, lack the capacity, character and competence to midwife such a political arrangement. These are people who have failed to manage one political party; how can they manage an amalgam of political parties and their varied interests?
The Labour Party intends to prosecute the 2027 general election as a standalone party, and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter.”
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