The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has promised to conduct free and credible elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, and other states before the 2027 general election.
INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, made this assurance during a two-day retreat program for 10 Resident Electoral Officers.
Yakubu revealed that the commission has made 142 recommendations to improve the electoral process in Nigeria. These reforms aim to enhance transparency and credibility. While some recommendations require legislative action from the National Assembly, others will be implemented by security agencies or INEC itself.
The INEC Chairman urged Nigerians to be patient, promising that the commission will make the recommendations public soon. He also disclosed that over 7 elections will be conducted before the 2027 general election, including off-cycle elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, and others.
Regarding the upcoming Edo election on September 21, Yakubu mentioned that INEC lost 4,000 Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) machines to flood but has replaced 3,500. The remaining 500 will be sourced from other states.
Yakubu assured that future elections in Osun, Ekiti, Anambra, and the FCT council election in 2026 will reflect the innovations and reforms implemented by INEC since the last general election. He emphasized the commission’s commitment to credible elections and ongoing engagement with the National Assembly for legal reforms.
