President Bola Tinubu says the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remains the backbone of Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Mr Tinubu stated this on Tuesday while inaugurating the construction of a new INEC annexe office to complement its current headquarters in Abuja.

He said the construction of the building was part of his administration’s effort to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy, independence of institutions, and the future of the nation’s electoral integrity.

The president pledged his administration’s commitment to ensuring that INEC was fully equipped to carry out its constitutional mandate.

According to him, INEC’s role in conducting free, fair, and credible elections is central to the trust people place in the government and the nation’s democratic process.

“For this reason, it is only right that such an institution is housed in a structure that reflects the dignity, responsibility and national significance of that institution.

“The new headquarters is a clear signal of our unwavering support for INEC autonomy, capacity and growth.

“It will provide not just a conducive home, but a home for innovation planning, training and transparency in electoral administration,” said the president.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring INEC is fully equipped, “not only in infrastructure but in law, policy and resources to carry out its constitutional mandate with courage, fairness and excellence.”

Mr Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for initiating the project.

“To all Nigerians, I say this democracy is not a destination but a journey. Together, let us strengthen our institutions, safeguard our freedom and protect the future,” he added.

INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu said the commission had been grappling with inadequate office accommodation for a long time, as the current headquarters, built in 1997, had been “severely congested.”

He said the headquarters was initially planned to cater for eight commission members – the chairman, seven full-time national commissioners, 10 departments/directorates and 500 staff members.

“Today, there are 13 full-time commission members – a chairman and 12 national commissioners, 22 departments/directorates and 1,048 staff,” he stated.

Mr Yakubu said the general staff meetings are held outside the commission and that two buildings were rented in Wuse to ease the situation.

He commended Mr Tinubu and the FCT administration for their support in addressing the problem. He dismissed concerns about why FCTA was building an office for a commission that was supposed to be independent.

Mr Yakubu said this was not the first time the FCTA had constructed an office for the commission, but the third time in the last 34 years.

The INEC chairman said that when the commission relocated its headquarters from Lagos to Abuja in 1991, it was the FCTA that provided it with offices in Garki to accommodate the headquarters.

He said the building plan has provisions for a museum to serve as a repository for the physical and digital history of elections and electoral activities in Nigeria.

Mr Yakubu said INEC’s main building would remain the commission’s national headquarters, while the new building would complement the main building.

On his part, the FCT minister explained that the project was part of the renovation and construction of public buildings approved by the FEC to reduce the shortage of accommodation.

He assured Mr Tinubu that the project would be given the needed attention to ensure its completion before the end of his tenure.

Earlier, the acting executive secretary, Richard Dauda, said the building on Plot 442, Maitama District, Zambezi Crescent, Off Aguiyi Ironsi Way, would occupy 1.5 hectares.

Dauda said that the scope of the works included the construction of a five-storey building with a basement parking facility, a media centre, a library, a museum, and various meeting rooms.

He said others were the security control room and office accommodation for the management of INEC, as well as some key departments.

“There will also be a 1,000-capacity auditorium on three levels, along with other ancillary facilities,” he said.

(NAN)