The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed strong opposition to proposals aiming to dissolve State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and transfer their responsibilities to INEC. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, emphasized that SIECs are constitutionally established and play a vital role in strengthening democracy at the grassroots level. He cautioned that eliminating SIECs could overburden INEC and undermine the federal structure of governance.
Supporting this stance, Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization, argued that scrapping SIECs would weaken local democracy and citizen participation. They highlighted that such a move could lead to an overcentralization of power, contradicting the principles of federalism. Yiaga Africa advocates for reforms to enhance the operational and financial independence of SIECs rather than their abolition.
Conversely, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called for the dissolution of SIECs, citing concerns over their lack of independence and susceptibility to manipulation by state governors. IPAC suggests that entrusting INEC with local government elections would promote transparency and fairness.
The debate continues as stakeholders deliberate on the best approach to ensure credible and democratic local government elections in Nigeria.
