By George Mgbeleke

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain its autonomy in the conduct elections in the country.

President Tinubu, who spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for a new national headquarters building for Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, reiterated that the headquarters is a clear signal of the government’s unwavering support for INEC’s autonomy, capacity, and growth.

He declared that the project aims to enhance the Commission’s operational capacity and reinforce public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

INEC Chairman, Yakubu Mahmood

The President emphasized that the new headquarters will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including a 1,000-seat auditorium, advanced IT infrastructure, and a museum chronicling Nigeria’s electoral history.
The project he noted will provide much-needed relief to the Commission’s current headquarters, which is severely congested and inadequate for its needs.

He commended the FCT Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike, for his initiative and dedication to ensuring the protection of Nigeria’s democracy.

The project comes after over ten years of sustained appeals by INEC for more space. The Commission’s current headquarters was originally designed to house just 500 staff and eight commission members, but it now accommodates over 1,000 personnel and 13 full-time commissioners.

He added that the museum will allow Nigerian citizens to appreciate the evolution of the country’s electoral history.

President Tinubu also directed a message to contractors and project stakeholders, urging them to adhere strictly to the principles of “quality, speed, and integrity.”

“You are not just building headquarters — you are building trust in our nation,” he stressed.

To the wider Nigerian public, the President delivered a call to civic duty: “Democracy is not a destination but a journey. Together, let us strengthen our institutions, safeguard our freedoms, and protect the future.”

In his remark, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, described the new project as a milestone in the Commission’s institutional evolution. He noted that the annex will provide needed relief and enable the Commission to function more effectively.

“Our present national headquarters is severely congested,” Yakubu noted.
“We were compelled to rent two additional buildings in Wuse Zone II to ease the situation. The completion of this annex will not only provide needed relief but enable the Commission to function more effectively.”

On his part, FCT Minister, Barr Wike, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening electoral governance through infrastructure.

He added that the museum will allow Nigerian citizens to appreciate the evolution of the country’s electoral history.

“Our present National Headquarters is severely congested. General staff meetings take place outside the Commission. The new annex, with provisions for training rooms, offices, an election monitoring centre and a digital museum, reflects our ambition for a stronger, more accessible Commission,” Wike said.

He added that the museum would allow Nigerian citizens, particularly students, to “appreciate the evolution of our electoral history, as is the case in major jurisdictions around the world.”

The groundbreaking ceremony marks a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.

The ceremony was attended by top officials including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; national commissioners of INEC; members of civil society organisations; political party leaders; and members of the diplomatic and development community.