Banjul, The Gambia – The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has called on electoral bodies in West Africa to strengthen regional cooperation in order to deepen democratic governance across the sub-region.
Speaking on Thursday at the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) in Banjul, Professor Yakubu stressed the need for electoral commissions to work more closely together to tackle emerging challenges facing democratic institutions.
The meeting, which brought together heads of electoral commissions from across West Africa, focused on the review and adoption of revised ECONEC statutes, including a proposal to establish a continent-wide electoral resource-sharing platform. The initiative is expected to promote better collaboration and capacity-building among election management bodies.
Professor Yakubu, who previously chaired the ECONEC Steering Committee, expressed appreciation to member states for their support during his tenure. He acknowledged the efforts of past leaders of the Network and praised the current leadership for sustaining ECONEC’s relevance in the region.
Reflecting on a 2017 meeting held in Sierra Leone, Yakubu recalled that all member states at the time operated under democratic systems. He noted with concern that four countries in the sub-region have since experienced democratic setbacks, but expressed hope for a return to civilian rule.
“This is likely my final ECONEC engagement as INEC Chairman,” he said, noting that his tenure ends later this year. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and for the cooperation of my colleagues throughout the years.”
Other heads of electoral bodies at the meeting echoed Professor Yakubu’s call for deeper collaboration, citing ECONEC’s role in providing technical support and promoting credible elections across West Africa.
Delegations from Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo attended the gathering.
While in Banjul, Professor Yakubu is also expected to participate in a series of stakeholder engagements alongside ECONEC President Mohamed Konneh of Sierra Leone. The engagements are part of ECONEC’s Needs Assessment Mission ahead of The Gambia’s 2026 presidential election.
