Reps Push to Empower INEC for Local Government Elections, Curb Governors' Influence

The House of Representatives has initiated steps to strip the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) of their authority to conduct local government elections, transferring that responsibility to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). A bill to amend the Electoral Act, 2022, to this effect, recently passed its first reading. The proposed amendment, sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere of Imo State and 24 other lawmakers, seeks to empower INEC to oversee local government elections nationwide.

The current law grants SIECs the authority to supervise local government elections. However, proponents of the bill argue that the state governors' influence over local governments compromises the integrity of these elections. They believe that vesting INEC with the power to conduct such elections would enhance transparency and accountability.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed readiness for the commission to assume this additional responsibility, stating that INEC is equipped to manage local government elections if the law is amended to empower it. Yakubu made this clear during an appearance before a joint Senate and House of Representatives committee earlier in the year.

This development has garnered attention from various groups and prominent Nigerians, who have long called for reforms to reduce the governors' influence over local governance through state-controlled electoral commissions.