Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has assured Nigerians that amendments to the Electoral Act will be concluded before the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, Yakubu also dismissed rumors of his removal from office, affirming his continued role as the Chief Electoral Officer of the country.
The INEC Chairman made these remarks while responding to questions from journalists after attending the inauguration of two newly appointed National Commissioners by President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, the commission has already reviewed the 2023 general elections and generated 142 recommendations, of which eight require amendments to the Electoral Act or the Constitution.
“We are here today, basically for the swearing-in of two national commissioners,” Yakubu said.
“As you are aware, the commission is made up of a chairman and 12 national commissioners drawn on the basis of two commissioners per geopolitical zone.”
He explained that the vacancies in the North West and South East zones have now been filled following the confirmation of the nominees by the Senate and their formal inauguration by the President.
“So, we have almost the full complement of commissioners of the commission. As we are aware also, about two weeks ago or so, we lost one of our commissioners, Major General Modibbo Alkali (retd), may his soul rest in peace. So now, we have almost the full complement of commissioners,” he said.
On the subject of electoral reforms, Professor Yakubu stated that INEC is actively working with the National Assembly.
He disclosed that the commission recently held a retreat with the joint committee on electoral reform of the Senate and House of Representatives in Lagos.
“Thereafter, the National Assembly is going to organize a public hearing, and it’s after the public hearing that now a new bill will, at the end of the day, be submitted to the President for assent,” he said.
“So, we’re working with the National Assembly on electoral reform, but at this point, I’m not going to give you any more details.”
“You will hear from the National Assembly whose responsibility it is, but we reviewed the 2023 general elections on our own.”
“We engaged with the stakeholders. We came up with 142 recommendations. Out of this 142 recommendations, eight require constitutional or Electoral Act amendment, and we discussed this with members of the National Assembly.”
Yakubu expressed satisfaction with the level of collaboration between INEC and lawmakers.
“So far so good, we are happy with our discussions with them, and we are also happy with the speed with which they want to proceed so that we’ll have some necessary amendments done to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.”
Addressing speculation surrounding his position, he firmly stated: “I don’t think we need to waste time so much about these unnecessary speculations.”
“As far as the law is concerned, and as far as I’m aware, I remain the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and under the Constitution, the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation, and under the Electoral Act, the returning officer for the presidential election.”
Professor Yakubu is expected to step down in October 2025, after completing the maximum two terms permitted by law, 10 years in total.
His exit is already attracting attention due to the critical role his successor will play in shaping the credibility of the 2027 polls, especially as President Tinubu is likely to seek re-election.
The two new INEC commissioners sworn in on Monday are Mallam Tukur Abdulrazaq Yusuf (North West) and Professor Sunday Nwambam Aja (South East, Ebonyi State).
President Tinubu also inaugurated two new members of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB): Ikpeme Kenneth Ndem (Cross River State) and retired Justice Buba Ibrahim Nyaure (Taraba State).
