Yakubu Raises Alarm Over Uncertainty in 2027 Election Framework

…INEC Boss Urges NASS to Act on Reforms
…EU Pushes for Transparent Result Publication

By Franklin Adole

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed concern that uncertainties over the legal framework for the 2027 general elections could unsettle the commission’s preparations.

Yakubu sounded the alarm yesterday in Abuja while receiving the European Union (EU) Election Observation Follow-up Mission to Nigeria, led by Mr. Barry Andrews. He stressed that early passage of amendments to the electoral laws was crucial for effective planning ahead of the polls.

“Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the commission as election draws nearer,” Yakubu warned, urging the National Assembly to expedite action on pending reforms.

He explained that INEC had carefully considered the eight recommendations specifically addressed to it by the EU Election Observation Mission following the 2023 general election. “Action has been taken on aspects of the recommendations that only require administrative action to implement. Similarly, action is being taken on cross-cutting recommendations that require collective action between INEC and other bodies and stakeholders while waiting for the conclusion of the ongoing legal review by the National Assembly on the recommendations that require legislative intervention,” Yakubu said.

According to him, out of 23 recommendations made by the EU mission, eight (34.8 per cent) were for INEC, while the remaining 15 (65.2 per cent) required action by other arms of government, political parties, and multiple stakeholders. He assured the EU team that the commission would continue engaging with international and domestic observers, noting that their reports had contributed to electoral reforms over the years.

“As you are aware, elections are a process governed by law. Many of your recommendations require the review of our electoral laws. For this reason, the commission had interfaced with our National Assembly, including a retreat with the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters,” he explained.

On his part, Andrews said the follow-up mission was in Nigeria to assess progress made since the 2023 polls. “So what we are here to do is to look at the recommendations that flowed from the overall mission, that were contained in the final report of the mission back in 2023. We are very happy to see that there has been significant progress against these recommendations,” he said.

He acknowledged that while some administrative reforms were achievable, constitutional and judicial changes were more difficult. “We recognise that there are certain time constraints, both in terms of judicial reform as well as administrative reform. Of course, constitutional reform, which is somewhat more difficult, but we are making all of these recommendations against international standards that the EU, that Nigeria, that most countries, have signed up to,” Andrews noted.

The EU official further said the mission’s work was part of a global effort to support electoral integrity. “So we are part of an overall international election observation ecosystem that has really served to buttress democracy, to support democracy, not just here in Nigeria, not just in Africa, but across the world and in Europe as well,” he added.