Reps Order INEC to Relocate Offices Out of Local Government Areas

The House of Representatives Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on the electoral body to move its offices away from local government areas across Nigeria.

This resolution came after a motion by Hon. Sunday Nnamchi, who argued that relocating INEC offices to neutral grounds would help safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

The motion, which was referred to the Committee on INEC, was discussed during a public hearing at the National Assembly Complex. Committee Chairman Adebayo Balogun emphasized the need for INEC to operate from neutral locations, separate from local political influences.

“There must be communication between INEC or the committee, through members or state governors, to provide land for this purpose,” Balogun stated.

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“This issue needs to be prioritized, and the more people talk about it, the more action will be taken. People will only act when there is pressure, and it’s through discussions like this that real change happens. I want to thank the mover of this motion because I wasn’t even aware of this issue until now.

We see it in areas like Alimosho, Apapa, Oshodi, and Eti Osa in Lagos, and it’s clear that these problems need to be addressed swiftly.”

In response, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, explained that urbanization has affected the locations of many of the commission’s offices, leading to security challenges. He highlighted that some offices have been situated in congested areas, which raised security concerns, especially during elections.

Yakubu cited an example in Abeokuta South, where INEC had to work with security agencies to relocate shops around their office due to security threats. He noted, “We strongly suspect that it was from one of these locations that a device was thrown at the office, causing damage.

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We don’t want our offices in the middle of built-up areas for security reasons, yet they must remain accessible. Balancing these concerns is crucial, as security is a continuous issue, especially on Election Day.”

While acknowledging the need for office relocations, Yakubu pointed out that some areas, like Abeokuta, have been able to move offices to safer locations. However, such flexibility is not available in every region, making it challenging to relocate some of the commission’s offices.

The committee’s resolution reflects growing concerns about the security and neutrality of INEC’s operations as Nigeria prepares for future elections.

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