Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has assured Nigerians that all necessary amendments to the Electoral Act will be concluded well before the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, Yakubu dismissed rumours of his removal, affirming that he remains Nigeria’s Chief Electoral Officer. He was at the State House for the inauguration of two newly appointed National Commissioners by President Bola Tinubu.
Yakubu explained that the commission had reviewed the 2023 general elections in collaboration with stakeholders and compiled 142 recommendations for improvement. Of these, eight require amendments to the Electoral Act.
He said, “We are interfacing with the National Assembly. Just two weeks ago, we had a retreat in Lagos with the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on electoral reform. A public hearing will follow, after which a new bill will be submitted to the President for assent.”
Yakubu noted that INEC now has nearly its full complement of commissioners, with the latest additions filling vacancies from the Northwest and Southeast. However, he acknowledged the recent death of one commissioner, Major General Modibbo Alkali (rtd).
The newly sworn-in commissioners are Tukur Abdulrazaq Yusuf (Northwest) and Prof. Sunday Nwambam Aja (Southeast, Ebonyi State).
