Abuja, October 3, 2025 — Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has called on the National Assembly to expedite the passage of proposed amendments to Nigeria’s electoral legal framework, stressing the importance of timely reform in preparation for the next general election.
Professor Yakubu made the appeal in Abuja during a meeting with the European Union Election Observation Follow-up Mission to Nigeria, led by Barry Andrews, who also headed the EU Mission during Nigeria’s 2023 general election.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, the INEC Chairman said that early passage of the amended electoral law is vital to enable the Commission to adequately plan, implement, and manage the electoral process ahead of the next election cycle.
Yakubu revealed that INEC had conducted a comprehensive review of the eight recommendations specifically directed to the Commission in the European Union Election Observation Mission’s (EU EOM) final report on the 2023 polls. He noted that these recommendations, along with inputs from other domestic and international observers, were thoroughly considered during INEC’s post-election review.
“The Commission’s review process led to the development of 142 recommendations for electoral reform,” Yakubu disclosed, adding that INEC had already published its detailed report on the 2023 general election over a year ago.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to continuous engagement with election observer missions, including the EU EOM, noting that their insights had been instrumental in enhancing the quality and credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Professor Yakubu also expressed INEC’s readiness to work collaboratively with stakeholders, including the legislature, civil society, and international partners, to ensure that electoral reforms are implemented in a timely and inclusive manner.