INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu Promises Swift Electoral Reforms Ahead of 2027 Polls

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has reaffirmed his position at the helm of Nigeria’s electoral body while announcing plans for sweeping reforms well ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking to journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, Professor Yakubu made it clear that he remains the country's Chief Electoral Officer. This clarification comes amid swirling rumors suggesting his removal from office, which he described as baseless.

His remarks followed the inauguration of two new National Commissioners by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The appointments, drawn from the Southeast and Northwest regions, complete the Commission’s statutory composition. According to Yakubu, this ensures that INEC now has a full complement of commissioners, a key requirement for the effective discharge of its constitutional mandate.

Revealing efforts aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s electoral framework, the INEC Chairman disclosed that the Commission had conducted a comprehensive review of the 2023 general elections in collaboration with various stakeholders. From this assessment, a total of 142 recommendations emerged. Of these, eight are considered significant enough to warrant amendments to the 1999 Constitution or the Electoral Act.

Yakubu emphasized the need to act promptly. “We have reviewed the 2023 general elections on our own,” he said. “We engaged with stakeholders. We came up with 142 recommendations. Out of this, eight require constitutional or Electoral Act amendment, and we discussed this with members of the National Assembly.”

Efforts toward legislative reforms are already underway. According to the INEC boss, the Commission recently participated in a retreat in Lagos alongside the Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Electoral Reform. The gathering brought together members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, underlining a coordinated legislative response to the proposed amendments.

Progress made so far has been encouraging. Yakubu described the Commission’s interaction with the legislature as productive and signaled optimism about the direction and pace of the reform process. “So far, so good. We are happy with our discussions with them,” he said. “And we are also happy with the speed with which they want to proceed so that we’ll have some necessary amendments done to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

Before any bill can be sent to the President for assent, a public hearing will be conducted. This is expected to provide citizens and interest groups with a platform to make contributions and express concerns. According to Yakubu, the process remains in the hands of the National Assembly, which will lead the charge in drafting and refining the proposed legal adjustments.

While he refrained from disclosing specific details of the proposed reforms, the INEC Chairman underscored the Commission’s commitment to transparency and inclusivity. “We’re working with the National Assembly on electoral reform, but at this point, I’m not going to give you any more details. You will hear from the National Assembly, whose responsibility it is,” he added.

Yakubu’s assurance comes at a critical time, as the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral processes continues to face scrutiny both locally and internationally. The 2023 elections, though conducted successfully, were not without controversy. Calls for reform have grown louder from civil society groups, political actors, and the general public.

With the 2027 elections still over two years away, stakeholders see this window as a crucial opportunity to implement meaningful changes to the electoral system. The INEC Chairman’s declaration signals a readiness to address institutional weaknesses and enhance the overall integrity of future polls.

For now, the nation watches as the legislative gears turn, with hopes that the proposed reforms will usher in a more transparent, efficient, and credible electoral process.