'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - At a meeting with the leadership of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), clarified the tenure of Area Council Chairmen and Councillors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
Addressing concerns about the tenure of current FCT Area Council officials, Prof. Yakubu emphasized that the new Electoral Act, enacted in February 2022, extends the tenure of Chairmen and Councillors from three to four years. This extension aligns their tenure with executive and legislative elections nationwide.
"The tenure of the Area Councils is now defined by the date of the oath of office," Prof. Yakubu explained. "The Chairmen and Councillors elected on February 12, 2022, and sworn in on June 14, 2022, will serve until June 2026, under the Electoral Act 2022."
He highlighted Section 108(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which states, "An Area Council shall stand dissolved at the expiration of 4 years commencing from the date when the Chairman took the oath of office or when the legislative arm of the Council was inaugurated, whichever is earlier."
Prof. Yakubu also addressed the inquiries from various stakeholders seeking clarification on the tenure issue. He assured that INEC is committed to upholding the law and the stability of tenure in the FCT, emphasizing that elections are conducted in a manner that prevents any vacuum in governance.
"We are aware of our responsibilities under the law. The Timetable and Schedule of Activities for elections will be released 360 days before the date fixed for the election, as required by Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act 2022," he stated.
The INEC Chairman praised the role of IPAC in facilitating dialogue between political stakeholders and the Commission. He urged political parties and aspirants to abide by the legal provisions and judicial pronouncements regarding tenure.
Prof. Yakubu reaffirmed INEC's commitment to credible and democratic elections in the FCT, noting that the Area Council elections serve as a model for local government elections across Nigeria. He concluded by assuring all stakeholders that the Commission will continue to uphold the sanctity of tenure and improve the credibility of elections in the FCT.
Speaking earlier, the national chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yusuf Dantalle expressed appreciation for the continued engagement of all stakeholders to guarantee fair and acceptable elections in the country by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
IPAC executives and other party leaders in the Federal Capital Territory attended the meeting.
.jpeg)
