The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, paid a courtesy visit to Senator Simon Bako Lalong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Matters, at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday.
Senator Lalong, alongside his Vice Chairman, Senator Musa Yar’adua, held a closed-door meeting with the INEC delegation to discuss important issues relating to the Commission’s operations and ongoing electoral reforms.
Welcoming the INEC Chairman, Lalong assured him of the committee’s full cooperation and support. He said the committee will conduct oversight visits to INEC offices to monitor the implementation of the 2025 budget and understand challenges the Commission may be facing.
Prof. Yakubu congratulated Lalong on his new role and emphasized the importance of working closely together to improve Nigeria’s electoral process. He highlighted key areas for reform, including continuous voter registration (CVR), supervision of political parties, constituency and polling unit delineation, and the conduct of off-cycle and by-elections.
He noted that INEC has submitted proposals to the National Assembly for constitutional amendments needed to ensure more effective elections in 2027 and beyond. While thanking the Senate for its support so far, he stressed the need for timely and adequate funding, as the Commission has only accessed limited funds.
Prof. Yakubu also used the opportunity to extend his condolences to Senator Lalong over the death of former Plateau State Deputy Governor, Prof. Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, who was his colleague at the University of Jos.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham
Special Adviser on Media to Senator Simon Bako Lalong
May 27, 2025
