By Divine Sam
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has raised concerns about the prevalence of vote-buying and delegate manipulation during party primaries, urging Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to focus more on these primary elections.
Speaking at INEC’s quarterly consultative meeting with CSOs in Abuja, Yakubu emphasized that while CSOs are keenly involved in monitoring secondary elections, there is a need for a similar level of attention to be given to party primaries, where issues like delegate-buying occur.
He cited instances where delegates openly boasted about the money they received from aspirants during the primaries. Yakubu urged CSOs to extend their monitoring efforts to prevent such practices and ensure that the selection of candidates for the general election is conducted fairly, without financial manipulation.
Looking ahead, Yakubu highlighted the upcoming Anambra State Governorship election, scheduled for November 8, 2025, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election on February 21, 2026. He called for increased vigilance to ensure political parties comply with electoral laws and regulations during these crucial events.
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