The Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission (ADSIEC) has commenced the screening of chairmanship candidates for the 2026 Local Government Council elections, assuring political parties and aspirants of a transparent, credible and fair process.
The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Muhammed Umar, gave the assurance while declaring the screening exercise open at the ADSIEC headquarters in Yola.
Umar said the exercise marked a critical phase in the electoral process ahead of the Local Government elections scheduled for June 13, 2026, noting that it covers chairmanship candidates of all participating political parties, as well as their running mates.
Welcoming members of the State Screening Committee and other stakeholders, the ADSIEC chairman recalled that preparations for the elections began last year with the publication of the Notice of Election on July 10, 2025.
According to him, the commission subsequently held a series of consultative meetings with political party leaders and security agencies across the state to promote inclusiveness, ensure strict compliance with electoral guidelines and guarantee the peaceful conduct of the polls.
Umar disclosed that all political parties conducted their primaries in line with the approved timetable and went on to collect, complete and submit the required nomination forms , CF 001 and EC 4C.
He added that the commission received, verified and published the particulars of all candidates at the Local Government offices and the ADSIEC headquarters, in line with best electoral practices.
Describing the screening as a key milestone in the electoral timetable, the ADSIEC chairman said the Screening Committee was carefully constituted to ensure professionalism and credibility.
He explained that the committee comprises ADSIEC officials and representatives of key security and regulatory agencies, including the Nigeria Police, the State Security Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Board of Internal Revenue.
“These are men of unquestionable character, carefully selected to ensure an impartial and credible screening process,” Umar said.
Umar assured political parties and aspirants that the screening would be conducted with the highest level of transparency and fairness, stressing that all candidates would be treated equally.
He said, “All aspirants will be given equal opportunity. No party or individual will be given preferential treatment.”
The ADSIEC boss added that the commission and the Screening Committee would strictly adhere to the rule of law and ethical standards throughout the exercise.
Umar also commended the media for their objective and consistent coverage of the commission’s activities, noting that the press plays a critical role in strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
He reaffirmed ADSIEC’s commitment to delivering a free, fair and credible Local Government Council election in Adamawa State and wished all participants a successful screening exercise.
In separate remarks, chairmanship candidates from various political parties expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the screening exercise, describing it as orderly, transparent and professionally managed.
The candidates commended ADSIEC for providing a level playing field and clear guidelines, noting that the process had further boosted their confidence in the commission’s readiness to conduct credible Local Government Council elections in the state.