INEC lacks power to conduct LG elections

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, says the commission has no constitutional power to conduct local government elections except in the Federal Capital Territory.
Yakubu disclosed this at a two-day induction retreat for INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners on Monday in Lagos.
The INEC Chairman was reacting to the agitation seeking constitutional backing for INEC to be saddled with the responsibility of conducting LG elections.
According to him, unless necessary constitutional amendments are made, INEC will only continue to organise national and state elections as the same section of the Constitution that establishes INEC also established the State Independent Electoral Commission.