The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has called on civil society organisations (CSOs) to expand their election monitoring efforts beyond general elections to include political party primaries.
The commission emphasized that tackling vote-buying and other malpractices at the nomination stage is crucial to ensuring credible elections.
INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu made this appeal on Tuesday during the first quarterly consultative meeting with CSOs for 2025 at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. He acknowledged the vital role CSOs have played in election observation and advocacy, noting that their reports have been instrumental in addressing electoral irregularities.
“I would like to urge civil society organisations to be as interested in party primaries as you are actively engaged in the monitoring of secondary elections conducted by INEC. After all, only the candidates nominated by the political parties are placed on the ballot paper for citizens to vote for on election day,” Yakubu stated.
He urged CSOs to pay particular attention to delegate-buying, a practice where aspirants financially induce delegates to secure their nominations. According to him, some delegates have openly admitted to receiving large sums of money from candidates during primaries, highlighting the need for greater scrutiny.
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“It is time to cast your net wide by focusing on the incidence of delegate-buying by aspirants during primaries. Some delegates openly boasted of how much money they made from aspirants during party primaries. You should intensify your advocacy in support of the practical steps taken by the relevant security and law enforcement agencies to tackle this diabolical practice,” he added.
Yakubu also acknowledged the concerns CSOs have raised in their election monitoring reports about vote-buying at polling units, stating that many of their recommendations have influenced INEC’s policies. He urged them to now extend the same level of focus to party primaries, where foundational issues in the electoral process begin.
The meeting comes as INEC prepares for key upcoming elections, including the Anambra State Governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025. Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between March 20 and April 10, 2025.
Yakubu reminded stakeholders that the timetable and schedule of activities for the election were released in October 2024, while the official Notice of Election was published on November 13, 2024, in line with legal requirements.
In addition to the Anambra election, INEC is also preparing for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections, set for February 21, 2026. The tenure of the six Chairmen and 62 Councillors will end next year, and preparations for the elections are already underway.
Yakubu confirmed that the election timetable has been published on INEC’s website, assuring stakeholders that further details will be discussed in subsequent engagements.