Flood has destroyed 20 offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in different parts of the country, it’s Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has told the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters.
Professor Yakubu who was defending the commission’s budget, added that INEC was currently searching for newer offices in the affected areas, among other challenges being encountered in the preparation for the 2023 elections.
He said, “We have office rent and residential rent. So many of our offices were attacked and some actually flooded after the recent floods. We have 20 offices in that situation after the recent floods. In some, we can repair and replace the damaged or lost equipment.
According to him, the serial attacks on the commission’s offices and facilities especially in the south-eastern part of the country, could lead to disruption to the electoral process and undermine Nigerian democracy and destabilise the country.
He again called on the lawmakers to pass the bill seeking to establish an electoral offences commission and tribunal before the end of the 9th National Assembly.
He however, did not state if the law should be in force before the 2023 general elections. While the elections have been scheduled for February, the Assembly ends in June.
Yakubu said, “Some of the progress referred to by the chairman of this committee owe a lot to the new Electoral Act. It has really strengthened our hands. I also like what Honourable Sam Onuigbo said; and the comment made by Honourable Abonta about the involvement of Commissioner Festus Okoye on the technical committee for the last election. We have nominated the same person for the Electoral Offences Commission and Tribunal Bill. I would like to appreciate you for that.
“You have relieved the commission, by the time you passed this bill, of one of the most difficult jobs assigned to the commission, and which we have not successfully implemented, which is the prosecution of electoral offences. With the establishment of the commission, essentially by the efforts of members – because it is a private bill, not an executive bill, we have also taken another step towards ensuring free, fair and credible elections.
“I pray that the process will be concluded and submitted for assent and be assented to before the lifespan of this Assembly. This will be another solid contribution to our electoral process. If you successfully do so, you would have done what the Uwais recommendation did not achieve; what the Lemu Committee did not achieve; and what the Nnamani Committee did not achieve. So, we look forward to and place on record our appreciation to the National Assembly.”
