INEC is overstretched, says Yakubu

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has again expressed concern over the clumsy conduct of elections in the country.

Speaking on Wednesday at the inauguration of six new National Commissioners and a Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Yakubu said conduct of elections all year round has since become the norm in the country and taking toll on the Commission personnel and facilities.

He said: “The reality today is that there is no election season in Nigeria any longer. ‘Elections are conducted all-year round by the Commission. In addition to the six bye-elections holding this weekend, there are three pending bye-elections in Zamfara State (Shinkafi and Gusau I State Constituencies) and Kaduna State (Giwa West State Constituency).

In addition, we are right now preparing for two off-cycle Governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States scheduled for 18th June 2022 and 16th July 2022 respectively as well as the 2023 General Election.”

Addressing the new National Commissioners, the INEC Chairman urged them to strive at all times to protect the sanctity of the electoral process.

“As I welcome the new Commissioners, I urge you to deploy your vast knowledge and diverse experiences to the service of the country as unbiased referees. I am confident that you will join us in further extending the frontiers of free and fair elections in Nigeria.

As I told the last set of Commissioners shortly after they were sworn-in five months ago on Wednesday 15th September 2021, our success in this arduous task draws largely from our integrity as election managers. We must be strict in the application of the law, firm in handling the public trust bestowed in us and fair in our dealings with political parties, candidates and other stakeholders and all Nigerians. In discharging our enormous responsibilities, we must abide by our oaths of office. We must continue to defend the choice made by Nigerians at the polls by protecting the sanctity of the vote without which the value of democratic election is diminished.

“You are coming on board just three days to the conduct of six bye-elections to fill vacancies in three Federal and three State constituencies in Cross River, Imo, Ondo and Plateau States.”

Checks revealed that out of the six National Commissioners, only two were new to the Commission. The new personnel were Mrs Rhoda Gumus, a Professor of Engineering, and Modibbo Abubakar Alkali, a retired Major General of the Nigerian Army.

The new Resident Electoral Commissioner is Olaniyi Olaleye Babalola Ijalaye, a legal practitioner, appointed to fill vacancy for Ondo State following the swearing-in of Mr Sam Olumekun as a National Commissioner.

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