INEC Pledges Transparency in Elections, Meets with Media Executives
Oru Leonard
The Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to conducting credible, transparent, and inclusive elections. She made this statement during a quarterly consultative meeting with media executives in Abuja.
Speaking in her opening remarks during the Commission’s quarterly consultative meeting with media executives on Wednesday in Abuja, Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu expressed appreciation to regular participants for their continued engagement with the Commission’s activities. She also paid tribute to the immediate past INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who bowed out of office on October 7, 2025, after years of innovative leadership, acknowledging his invaluable contributions, not just to Nigeria, but to democracy across the continent.
Mbu outlined progress made in the series of elections and electoral activities announced during the last quarterly meeting. These include by-elections held on August 16, 2025, across 12 states, as well as preparations for major off-cycle governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti, and Osun States, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
She revealed that INEC had successfully completed 10 out of 13 key activities for the Anambra State Governorship Election, scheduled for November 8, 2025. The remaining activities include the publication of notice of polls (October 25), the end of campaigns (November 6), and the election day itself.
“The Commission is committed to keeping strictly to the remaining activities as detailed in the timetable and schedule,” she emphasized.
The Acting Chairman disclosed that non-sensitive materials for the Anambra election had been delivered, while voter education and sensitization were ongoing. INEC’s media and situation room for the poll was opened on September 1, and 43 media organizations have so far applied for accreditation.
She reminded journalists that the media accreditation portal will close on October 24, 2025, with no extension to the deadline.
On the upcoming FCT Area Council elections scheduled for February 21, 2026, the Acting Chairman said the polls would cover 68 constituencies across six councils (Abaji, Abuja Municipal, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Gwagwa).
Out of the 13 scheduled activities, eight have been completed, with the remaining five — including the submission of polling agents, publication of the voter register, and the election day to run as planned.
Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu also disclosed that the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, which resumed on August 18, 2025 (online) and August 25, 2025 (in-person), will run for a full year, ending August 13, 2026. She described the public response as encouraging and a reflection of Nigerians’ faith in democracy.
“This is a testament that Nigerians believe in our democracy and the Commission’s efforts to ensure all eligible citizens can participate,” she said.
Providing an update on new political party applications, the Acting Chairman revealed that INEC had received 171 requests for registration. After rigorous assessment based on constitutional and legal provisions, 14 associations have met the requirements to proceed to the next stage. Details of the qualified associations, she noted, have been published on the Commission’s website.
She called on the media to maintain professionalism and accuracy in their coverage, describing them as “a bulwark against fake and misleading information.” “Our doors remain open for verification and clarification on any matter,” she assured, calling on political parties, security agencies, and all stakeholders to continue collaborating with INEC in strengthening the electoral process.
“We look forward to your contributions to the improvement of the electoral process in Nigeria,” she concluded.
In his response, The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) President, Comrade Yahya A. Alhassan, commended INEC’s efforts in promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s electoral process. He emphasized the media’s role in ensuring citizens are informed and engaged, and called for sustained collaboration between INEC and the media to strengthen transparency and accountability. Alhassan urged journalists to uphold professionalism, integrity, and national unity, and praised INEC’s preparations for upcoming elections.
“The media must continue to inform citizens, hold political actors accountable, and ensure that the electoral process is reported with accuracy, fairness, and responsibility,” he said.
He called for stronger collaboration between INEC and journalists covering elections, including training, improved access to information, and support for fact-checking to counter misinformation.
He thanked the Commission for its partnership with the media, reaffirming the NUJ’s commitment to supporting democratic governance through responsible journalism.
The meeting highlighted the importance of collaboration between INEC and the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and responsible reporting. The NUJ President commended INEC’s efforts, emphasizing the need for sustained partnership to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
