By Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in a significant show of regional electoral collaboration, hosted a high-level delegation from the Commission Electorale Nationale Autonome (CENA) of Benin Republic on Monday, December 16, 2024.
The meeting, held at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, marked a strategic effort to strengthen electoral processes and deepen cooperation between both nations ahead of Benin Republic’s 2026 elections.
The delegation, led by Dr. Sacca Lafia, President of CENA, was warmly welcomed by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who commended Benin’s electoral body for its proactive steps in preparing for what is set to be the most complex electoral cycle in the country’s history.
“It is my pleasure to warmly welcome my friend and colleague, the President of CENA, Dr. Sacca Lafia, and other senior officials of CENA to INEC Nigeria,” Prof. Yakubu stated. He emphasized the importance of peer learning and regional collaboration in addressing shared electoral challenges across West Africa.
The 2026 elections in Benin Republic are expected to be multifaceted, with legislative and local elections slated for January, followed by a presidential election in April. Acknowledging the enormity of the task, CENA’s 12-member delegation, comprising Commissioners, Directors, and senior officials, focused their visit on key aspects of Nigeria’s electoral framework.
According to Prof. Yakubu, the visit aims to provide critical insights into several core areas, including:
Legal frameworks guiding elections; Design and distribution of electoral materials; Recruitment, training, and deployment of polling officials; Election budgeting and transparent payment systems.
Others areas are: Coordination of election security; Use of technology in elections; Accreditation of local and international election observers, and Strategies for stakeholder engagement.
“Peer learning and support help strengthen electoral processes,” Prof. Yakubu said. “I want to assure CENA that we will fully share our experiences with you and provide relevant documents to enrich your understanding of our procedures.”
The four-day study visit has been meticulously planned, with presentations from various INEC departments to provide in-depth insights into Nigeria’s electoral successes, challenges, and innovations.
Dr. Sacca Lafia expressed profound appreciation to INEC for the comprehensive preparations and warm reception. He highlighted Nigeria’s electoral strides as a model for West Africa and underscored the importance of adopting best practices to ensure credible elections in Benin.
“This visit is critical for us. Nigeria’s electoral strides have positioned INEC as a model for the region, and we are here to learn and implement those lessons in Benin,” Dr. Lafia stated.
The INEC team that received the CENA delegation included National Commissioners Maj. Gen. Modibbo Alkali (rtd), Prof. Rhoda Gumus, Prof. Sani Adams, and Prof. Abdullahi Abdu Zuru. Others present were the Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Rose Anthony-Oriaran; Chief Technical Adviser to the Chairman, Prof. Bolade Eyinla; Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi; and several Directors of the Commission.
This strategic exchange underscores INEC’s leadership role in promoting electoral excellence in the region. By sharing its experiences and best practices, Nigeria continues to play a critical role in fostering democratic development across Africa.
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