Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has assured that the Electoral Act will be amended before the 2027 general elections.
He also dismissed recent rumors suggesting his removal from office, stating unequivocally that he remains the country’s chief electoral officer.
Prof. Yakubu made this known on Monday, while addressing State House correspondents after the inauguration of two new INEC national commissioners by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, on Monday.
Speaking on electoral reforms, the INEC boss revealed that the commission has reviewed the 2023 general elections and, in collaboration with stakeholders, generated 142 reform recommendations.
Of those, eight require amendments to the constitution or the Electoral Act.
“We’re working closely with the National Assembly on electoral reform,” Prof. Yakubu said.
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“We’ve had a retreat with the Senate and House of Representatives joint committee on electoral reform in Lagos. A public hearing is planned next, after which a new bill will be submitted to the president for assent.”
He expressed optimism about the timeline and commitment of lawmakers to the reform process, emphasizing that necessary legislative updates will be in place before Nigerians head to the polls in 2027.
On speculations surrounding his alleged removal from office, Prof. Yakubu said: “I don’t think we need to waste time on unnecessary speculations.
“As far as the law is concerned, and as far as I’m aware, I remain the chairman of INEC, the chief electoral commissioner of the federation, and the returning officer for the presidential election under the Electoral Act.”
