The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has urged election management bodies (EMBs) in West Africa to forge stronger ties and deepen collaboration to bolster democratic governance across the region.
Addressing the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) in Banjul, The Gambia, on Thursday, Professor Yakubu stressed that closer cooperation is essential for strengthening democracy within the sub-region.
The meeting’s agenda includes the review and adoption of a revised draft of the ECONEC statutes. A key proposal under consideration is the creation of Africa’s first electoral resource-sharing database, an initiative aimed at enhancing collaboration and capacity-building among EMBs across the continent.
Professor Yakubu, a former president of the ECONEC Steering Committee, expressed gratitude for the support he received during his tenure and paid tribute to past members of the Network for their contributions to strengthening democratic institutions in their respective countries and across Africa. He also commended the current leadership for their commitment to keeping the Network active and relevant.
Reflecting on a 2017 ECONEC meeting in Sierra Leone, Professor Yakubu recalled a time when all countries in the sub-region were under democratic rule. He expressed regret that this is no longer the case, noting that four countries in the region have since transitioned away from democracy. However, he remained optimistic about the eventual return of democratic governance to these nations.
Professor Yakubu also informed the Assembly that this would be his final ECONEC meeting as INEC Chairman, as his tenure is set to end later this year. He thanked his colleagues and the Network for their unwavering support and collaboration over the years and encouraged them to continue upholding the values of electoral integrity and regional unity.
Several other EMB heads echoed Professor Yakubu’s call for deeper regional collaboration, praising ECONEC for its technical support and its role in sustaining democratic governance in West Africa.
The Extraordinary General Assembly brought together chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of EMBs from Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
L-R: Hon Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu (2nd left), Chairman, Autonomous National Electoral Commission of Benin Republic (CENA, Benin), Mr Lafia Sacca (2nd right); Director, Planning and Monitoring, Mrs Helen Ajayi (left) and Principal Information Officer, Mr Nathaniel Gana (right) at the ECONEC Extraordinary General Assembly which began on Thursday 10th April 2025 in Banjul, Gambia. PHOTOS: NATHANIEL GANA
While in Banjul, Professor Yakubu is also scheduled to join the current ECONEC President, Konneh Kenewui of Sierra Leone, for a series of visits to key stakeholders, including the Gambian government, as part of ECONEC’s Needs Assessment Mission ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election.
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