INEC Proposes Constitutional Changes After 142 Post-Election Reviews
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it is pushing for constitutional and legal amendments following a comprehensive post-election review of the 2023 polls.
The Chairman of the INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this known on Monday while addressing journalists at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu swore in two newly appointed National Commissioners for the commission.
Professor Yakubu, who dismissed widespread rumours about his alleged removal from office, maintained that he remains fully in charge of INEC, in line with constitutional provisions.
He emphasised that his focus, and that of the commission, is on strengthening the nation’s democratic processes through reforms anchored on the lessons learnt from the 2023 elections.
“As a Commission, we engaged with stakeholders across the country and undertook an extensive review. We came up with 142 recommendations, out of which eight require either constitutional amendment or changes to the Electoral Act,” Yakubu stated.
He noted that discussions with the National Assembly’s electoral reform committees had already commenced in earnest, with both parties aligning on the urgency of overhauling key sections of the law governing the nation’s elections.
“The National Assembly will hold public hearings, and at the end of that process, a new bill will be drafted and presented to Mr President for assent. Our hope is that these changes will be concluded well ahead of the 2027 elections,” he added.
The two new commissioners sworn in by President Tinubu are Mallam Tukur Abdulrazaq Yusuf from the North-West geopolitical zone and Professor Sunday Nwambam Aja from the South-East (Ebonyi State).
Their appointments now bring INEC closer to a full complement of 12 National Commissioners, following the recent death of Major General Modibbo Alkali (retd), a former member of the Commission.
In a related development, President Tinubu also administered the oath of office to two new members of the Code of Conduct Bureau — Ikpeme Kenneth Ndem (Cross River) and retired Justice Buba Ibrahim Nyaure (Taraba State).
Reacting to swirling speculations about his tenure, Professor Yakubu said, “There is no need to dwell on unfounded rumours. I remain the Chairman of INEC and the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation. I am focused on the task at hand and committed to ensuring credible elections in the future.”
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
