INEC Urges CSOs to Focus on Political Parties’ Candidate Selection

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Nigeria to pay greater attention to the candidate selection processes of political parties to enhance the integrity of the electoral system.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during the commission’s first regular consultative meeting with CSOs in 2025.

“I would like to urge civil society organizations to be as interested in party primaries as you are actively engaged in the monitoring of secondary elections conducted by INEC,” Yakubu stated. “After all, only the candidates nominated by the political parties are placed on the ballot paper for citizens to vote for on Election Day.”

Addressing concerns over electoral malpractices, the INEC Chairman highlighted the prevalence of vote-buying during elections and urged CSOs to broaden their focus to include delegate-buying during party primaries.

“From your monitoring reports as accredited election observers, you have consistently expressed concerns over vote-buying at polling units during elections,” he noted. “Some of you have made actionable recommendations on how to curtail the menace, which have been favorably considered by the Commission. It is time to cast your net wide by focusing on the incidence of delegate-buying by aspirants during primaries.

“Some delegates openly boasted of how much money they made from aspirants during party primaries. You should intensify your advocacy in support of the practical steps taken by the relevant security and law enforcement agencies to tackle this diabolical practice.”
Yakubu also reminded CSOs of the upcoming Anambra State Governorship election, emphasizing that preparations were in full swing.

“As required by law, the Notice of Election was published on 13th November 2024, i.e., 360 days before the date fixed for the election scheduled to hold on 8th November 2025,” he said. “The next activity is the conduct of party primaries, which begins next month. All political parties interested in fielding candidates for the election shall commence their primaries on 20th March 2025 and end three weeks later on 10th April 2025. The
Commission’s preparation for the election is on the agenda for this meeting.”
In addition, he provided updates on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election, scheduled for 21st February 2026.

“Similarly, the Commission has released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which is the only part of the country where INEC conducts local government elections,” Yakubu stated. “The election will hold on Saturday, 21st February 2026. As you are aware, the four-year tenure of the six Chairmen and 62 Councillors will end next year. The last Area Council election was held on 12th February 2022.”

The meeting with CSOs is part of INEC’s continued engagement with stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral process.