The Yobe State Independent Election Commission (SIEC) has commenced the screening of candidates ahead of the September 26, 2026 Local Government Elections across the state’s 17 local government areas.
The Executive Chairman of the commission, Ibrahim Yabani, disclosed this during a press briefing in Damaturu, explaining that candidates contesting the chairmanship and vice-chairmanship positions would be screened in the state capital.
He added that the screening of councillorship candidates would take place at the commission’s three zonal offices.
“Our election should have taken place in June 2026, but looking at the party primaries across the country, we realised it’s going to be very stressful for us, the stakeholders, including you, the mass media. So the state government approached the state Assembly to amend the law for the election to hold in September, 2026”
Yabani said the adjustment was made within the provisions of the law and did not violate any legal requirement.
“This means that we are within the law; we are not breaking any law. I can tell you categorically today that we are commencing the screening of all candidates, including those vying for chairmanship, vice chairmanship, and councillorship positions; this exercise will last for 7 days,” he said.
The commission’s chairman also disclosed that the forthcoming local government election would be digitised for the first time.
According to him, SIEC has fully equipped its newly constructed situation room with the necessary equipment to support the conduct of a smooth and hitch-free election.
On the number of ad hoc staff to be engaged for the election, Yabani said the responsibility rested with the electoral officers, who were expected to submit the list for screening and approval.
He said he had yet to receive the list but expressed confidence that the process would be completed within two weeks.