In response to ongoing security threats, the House of Representatives has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to relocate its local government offices to safer, neutral locations across the country. This resolution was passed unanimously during Wednesday’s plenary, following a motion raised by Representative Sunday Nnamchi from Enugu State.
Nnamchi raised concerns that many INEC offices are currently located within local government headquarters, which he argued could compromise the commission's independence, especially in areas with strong single-party influence. "The close proximity to local government authorities exposes INEC to potential manipulation, which could affect its impartiality," he noted. Nnamchi emphasized the need to secure INEC’s autonomy as stipulated in Section 6 of the Electoral Act 2022 to maintain public trust in the electoral process.
The motion passed with overwhelming support and without debate. Following Speaker Tajudeen Abbas' call, the House urged INEC to include funding for the relocation in its 2025 budget proposal. Additionally, relevant House committees have been directed to ensure compliance and are expected to report back within four weeks for further legislative review.
