The Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission has commenced the screening of candidates for the forthcoming local government elections, reaffirming September 26, 2026, as the date for the poll.
The commission said it had proceeded with preparations for the election in line with its guidelines and the relevant electoral laws, dismissing any suggestion that the process was being conducted outside the legal framework.
The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Ibrahim Yabani Mohammed, disclosed this on Tuesday during a press conference at the SIEC headquarters in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.
Yabani said the commission had been following an electoral timetable that was initially released before the recent amendments to the electoral law.
“On April 26, 2025, we declared that elections would be conducted in the 17 local government councils in the state. This was in compliance with the law, which required the election to be declared at least 300 days before the election date,” he said.
The chairman explained that although the new electoral law had reduced the statutory period for announcing elections, the declaration made by the previous leadership of the commission remained valid.
“Although the new electoral law has reduced the required number of days, the declaration had already been made by my predecessor. Consequently, all activities relating to the elections were clearly outlined in the guidelines. If you follow these guidelines, you will see that we are on track,” Yabani said.
He said the commission deliberately delayed publicity for the election at the initial stage because of the tense political atmosphere and the number of political activities taking place across the country.
“What we did not do initially was publicity. This was for obvious reasons. It was not because we did not respect the importance of publicity, but because the political atmosphere in Nigeria at the time was very tense, with several programmes and activities taking place simultaneously,” he said.
According to Yabani, the commission had initially scheduled the local government election for June 6, 2026, but subsequently reconsidered the date following the timetable for political parties’ primaries.
He said the SIEC guidelines had directed political parties to conduct their primaries between May 1 and May 31, creating a situation that would have left little time between the conclusion of the primaries and the local government election.
“Our election could have taken place on June 6, 2026. However, we realised that conducting local government elections just one week after political parties had concluded their primaries across the country would have placed considerable pressure on politicians, the media and other stakeholders,” Yabani said.
The commission subsequently approached the Yobe State House of Assembly, which amended the relevant law to enable the election to be moved to September 26.
“This means that we are operating within the law and are not violating any legal provision. That was why it was possible to move the election date to September 26,” he said.
Yabani said the commission had now entered another critical phase of the electoral process with the commencement of screening for candidates seeking to contest the chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councillorship positions.
“I can also state categorically that today, September 1, we are commencing the screening of all candidates seeking to contest the forthcoming local government elections,” he said.
He said the screening exercise would run from September 1 to September 7, 2026, in accordance with the commission’s guidelines.
According to him, SIEC has established separate teams to screen candidates for councillorship positions and those contesting for chairmanship and vice-chairmanship.
The councillorship screening is being conducted at designated zonal centres across the state, while the screening of chairmanship and vice-chairmanship candidates is being held at the commission’s headquarters in Damaturu.
Yabani said three screening zones had been created to cover the 17 local government areas, with each team comprising between six and seven members.
The first zone covers Damaturu, Tarmuwa, Bursari and other local government areas within the cluster, while its designated centre will handle the screening of councillorship candidates from the affected areas.
The second zone is centred in Potiskum, where councillorship candidates from local government areas within the cluster are expected to report for screening.
Yabani said the screening had already commenced in Potiskum as of Tuesday, with candidates from some local government areas appearing before the screening team.
“Information reaching me this morning indicates that the screening has already commenced in Potiskum, with candidates from some local government areas already screened. This demonstrates how seriously we are taking the process to ensure that everything is conducted in accordance with the law,” he said.
The chairman said the third zone had also commenced preparations, with its screening team travelling to the area to begin the exercise.
He explained that the geographical size of the zone necessitated the use of two screening locations to ensure that candidates were not subjected to unnecessary difficulties.
According to him, one screening centre would be located at the headquarters of the zone, while another would be established in Nguru.
“This means that the screening exercise will commence simultaneously across the three zones today,” Yabani said.
He added that the commission would immediately commence the screening of chairmanship and vice-chairmanship candidates at its Damaturu headquarters following the press conference.
The exercise, he said, would be concluded on September 7 in line with the electoral timetable.
Yabani also assured political parties and candidates that the screening process would be conducted based on constitutional and legal requirements rather than political considerations.
“The screening guidelines are very clear and are based on the provisions of the Constitution, which specifies the qualifications required for anyone seeking to contest a particular position,” he said.
He added, “We have specific requirements for candidates seeking the position of chairman, as well as those seeking other positions.”
The chairman said the commission would continue to adhere to its guidelines and relevant laws throughout the electoral process, urging political parties and candidates to cooperate with SIEC to ensure a smooth election.
The local government poll is expected to produce chairmen, vice-chairmen and councillors for the 17 local government areas of Yobe State.
With the commencement of candidate screening, political parties are expected to intensify their preparations and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the September 26 election.
The commission’s decision to maintain the date also provides a clearer timeline for candidates, political parties, election observers and other stakeholders as preparations enter the final stages.
West Trybe reports that Yobe SIEC’s reaffirmation of September 26 as the local government election date and the commencement of candidate screening mark significant steps towards the conduct of the poll, with the commission insisting that the process is being implemented in accordance with the law and its published guidelines.
