The Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) has fixed Saturday, June 6, 2026, for the conduct of local government council elections across the state’s 17 local government areas.
Naijaonpoint reports that the announcement was made on Wednesday in Damaturu by the Permanent Member I of the commission, Mohammed Grema Nguru, during a stakeholders’ meeting attended by security agencies, political party leaders under the Inter-Party Advisory Council, and representatives of the media.
Nguru disclosed that the election timetable has received the approval of Governor Mai Mala Buni, adding that the exercise is aimed at deepening democratic governance at the grassroots level.
Addressing participants at the meeting, Nguru stressed that the success of the forthcoming election would depend largely on the cooperation of all stakeholders.
“This stakeholders’ meeting is critical to the success of the forthcoming elections. We have brought together security agencies, political parties under the Inter-Party Advisory Council, and the media because the conduct of a credible election requires collective effort, cooperation, and shared responsibility among all stakeholders,” he said.
He assured political parties that the commission was in the final stages of releasing a comprehensive election timetable and guidelines.
“The commission is finalising arrangements to issue comprehensive election guidelines to all political parties. These guidelines will clearly outline procedures, timelines, and requirements, and we urge political parties to study them carefully and comply fully in order to ensure a smooth and orderly electoral process,” Nguru added.
The YBSIEC official further called on political parties to field candidates with integrity and capacity, warning that leadership quality at the local level directly affects development.
“Political parties are encouraged to present candidates of quality repute and substance. The kind of leadership we produce at the local government level will directly affect service delivery, accountability, and development within our communities,” he said.
Nguru also outlined eligibility requirements for aspirants seeking elective positions in the council polls.
According to him, chairmanship candidates must be at least 30 years old, while councillorship aspirants must not be less than 25 years.
“All positions are open to eligible residents without any form of gender discrimination. Aspirants must be of sound mind, must not be bankrupt, and must be bona fide residents of their local communities,” he explained.
He added that a minimum educational qualification of a school certificate or its equivalent is mandatory for all aspirants, alongside compulsory security screening.
“Every candidate will undergo mandatory security screening. These measures are necessary to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and ensure that only qualified individuals contest for office,” he said.
The commission also announced the cost of nomination forms for the elections.
Nguru said nomination fees have been pegged at ₦300,000 for chairmanship, ₦250,000 for vice-chairmanship, and ₦200,000 for councillorship positions.
Reaffirming the commission’s commitment to transparency, Nguru assured residents that the electoral body would take full responsibility for organising and supervising the elections.
“The State Independent Electoral Commission will therefore take full responsibility to undertake, organise, and supervise the local government council elections, and we assure the people of Yobe State that the process will be free, fair, credible, and peaceful,” he declared.
He concluded by appealing to political parties, security agencies, and citizens to cooperate with the commission and encouraged qualified residents to actively participate in the democratic process.