The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), ProfessorMAHMOUD YAKUBU, has affirmed that the electoral body can conduct local government elections in the country if provided with the necessary resources.

He made this statement when he appeared before the National Assembly Joint Committee on INEC.

Responding to a question on INEC’s stance regarding the Supreme Court verdict on financial autonomy for Local Governments, Prof. YAKUBU acknowledged calls for the unbundling of INEC or the creation of a new federal agency for conducting council polls.

However, he asserted that INEC, under his leadership, possesses the capacity, competence, human resources, and experience needed to conduct local government elections across Nigeria’s 774 councils.

Prof. YAKUBU emphasised that INEC’s consistent conduct of federal and state elections is proof of its capability to manage council polls.