“There’s No Election Season in Nigeria” – INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has said that the electoral body operates continuously, conducting various elections and activities throughout the year, with no breaks or “election seasons.”

The INEC boss said this on Monday while speaking at an induction retreat for new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Lagos.

He said, “The reality of the work we do in INEC is that there’s no election season in Nigeria at all. Elections are held all-year round in addition to numerous electoral activities such as voter registration.

“Even today’s retreat is holding against the background of forthcoming governorship elections in Edo State in the next 81 days and Ondo State in the 137 days.

Yakubu listed the commission’s busy schedule, including upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, five pending bye-elections, and four major elections before the 2027 general elections.

Yakubu noted that since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, INEC has conducted 14 by-elections, with five more scheduled. He assured that the commission is working to recover Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines damaged in the Edo State office flood, with support from neighbouring states if needed.