President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday flagged off the construction of a new headquarters for the (INEC) in Abuja, calling on all Nigerians to actively support efforts to strengthen national institutions, safeguard democratic freedoms, and protect the future of the country.
Addressing dignitaries at the flag-off ceremony, the President emphasised that democracy in Nigeria is not a finished product but a continuous journey that requires collective commitment and vigilance.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured the President of the speedy completion of the new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Tinubu said, “To all Nigerians, I say this democracy is not a destination but a journey. Together let us strengthen our institutions, safeguard our freedom and protect the future”.
The President described the groundbreaking of the new INEC headquarters as more than a symbolic event, stressing that the structure represents Nigeria’s dedication to credible elections and institutional independence.
“Today’s ceremony is not merely about bricks and mortar, it is about the strength of our democracy, the independence of our institutions, and the future of our electoral integrity,” he stated.
He praised INEC for its central role in advancing Nigeria’s democratic journey, describing it as “the backbone of Nigeria’s democratic process.”
According to him, a structure that reflects the dignity and responsibility of the Commission is necessary for enhancing public confidence in the electoral system.
“Its role in conducting free, fair and credible elections is central to the trust our people place in their government, and in our democratic process. It is only right that such a pivotal institution is housed in a structure that reflects the dignity, responsibility and national significance of that institution”, the President said.
The new annexe of the INEC headquarters, he said, will serve not just as an office complex, but as a hub for electoral planning, training, innovation, and transparency.
“Our democracy is still evolving, and as it is growing, so too must the institution that supports and protects it. We are committed to ensuring that INEC is fully equipped, not only in infrastructure, but in law, policy and resources to carry out its constitutional mandate with courage, fairness and excellence”, Tinubu noted.
Commending Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, for spearheading the initiative, Tinubu said the move further demonstrates the administration’s resolve to protect and enhance Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“By initiating this project, the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has taken another important step toward the protection of our democracy in this country. I salute your vision, courage and commitment to the progress and development of our country”, he said.
He also extended appreciation to the leadership and staff of INEC for their enduring commitment to institutional growth and electoral credibility.
“Let me once again commend the leadership and the staff of INEC for their dedication to face the challenge that is necessary and the courage to lay a stronger foundation for our democracy,” Tinubu said.
To contractors and stakeholders involved in the construction, the President issued a stern reminder about the significance of the project, urging them to prioritize quality and integrity.
“To the contractors, supervisors and stakeholders involved in this project, let quality, speed, integrity, and transparency guide your work. You are not just building an edifice, you are building trust in our nation,” he declared.
Also speaking, the Minister of the FCT, Wike said “Mr. President, let me, on behalf of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, most sincerely thank you again for giving us an opportunity to flag off this very important project, as explained by the ES of FCDA and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“Your Excellency, let me correct an impression that was given by the Executive Secretary that this was awarded by FCT, no, this was awarded by the Federal Executive Council in March 2025. So it was not awarded by the FCT, it was awarded by the Federal Executive Council which has to be supervised by the FCT through the Federal Capital Development Authority.
“Your Excellency, recollect that the Federal Executive Council had approved the renovation and construction of public buildings. One of those buildings for renovation is just the one we commissioned, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the renovation of the two chambers of the National Assembly, the construction of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, and the construction of 40 houses for the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, and the FCT High Court.
“This was under your directive to reduce the shortage of accommodation, and I thank the Chairman for explaining and for letting the world know that it is through the FCDA that public buildings are renovated or built. And he has stated here, this is not the first time that when INEC Headquarters was relocated to Abuja, it was FCDA.
“It is good that he says that because so many people will go and begin to say all kinds of things. So it’s good that he explained that. I want to assure you that this structure will be given all the time it is required to see that during your first tenure, this project is completed, that you can be assured that we’ll do that, and with the kind of support you’ve given to us, we’ll make sure that the contractor delivers. I don’t know where he comes from, but by the time he finishes, he’ll be back, because I’ve made sure that he stays under the sun, under the rain, and justifies the money that we are paying”.
INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu said for a long time, the Commission has been grappling with inadequate office accommodation.
Our present national headquarters, Yakubu said, is severely congested.
Commissioned in December 1997, Yakubu said it was originally planned to cater for eight Commission members (a chairman and seven full-time National Commissioners), ten Departments/Directorates and 500 staff.
He said, “Since then, the activities of the Commission have become more extensive and the staff strength at the headquarters has more than doubled. Today, there are 13 full-time Commission members (a chairman and 12 National Commissioners), 22 Departments/Directorates and 1,048 staff. Consequently, every facility is overstretched from offices to meeting rooms for the Commission’s 15 standing Committees and other activities, including regular engagements with stakeholders. General staff meetings always take place outside the Commission. In response, the Commission was compelled to rent two buildings in Wuse Zone II to ease the situation.
“Over the last ten years, we made every effort to alleviate the situation until sometime last year when the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory came to the rescue. I wish to make it clear that this is not the first time that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has constructed an office for the Electoral Commission. When the Commission relocated its headquarters from Lagos to Abuja in 1991, it was the FCDA that provided it with offices in Garki to accommodate the national headquarters as well as the FCT office. When the facility became overstretched, the FCDA again built our present headquarters. The building in Garki now operates exclusively as our FCT Office. In fact, today’s groundbreaking event is the third time in the last 34 years that the FCDA, in the discharge of its responsibilities, is stepping in to either provide office accommodation or alleviate the Commission’s space constraint.
“As the end user of the facility, our technical department submitted the concept of the proposed building, which is what the FCT is currently executing. We made provision for offices, meeting rooms, conference rooms, a 1,000-seat auditorium and offices for some of our IT-based facilities Mr. President, let me, on behalf of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, most sincerely thank you again for giving us an opportunity to flag off this very important project, as explained by the ES of FCDA and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“Your Excellency, let me correct an impression that was given by the Executive Secretary that this was awarded by FCT, no, this was awarded by the Federal Executive Council in March 2025. So, it was not awarded by the FCT; it was awarded by the Federal Executive Council, which has to be supervised by the FCT through the Federal Capital Development Authority.
“Your Excellency, recollect that the Federal Executive Council had approved the renovation and construction of public buildings. One of those buildings for renovation is just the one we commissioned, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, the renovation of the two chambers of the National Assembly, the construction of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, and the construction of 40 houses for the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, and the FCT High Court.
“This was under your directive to reduce the shortage of accommodation, and I thank the Chairman for explaining and for letting the world know that it is through the FCDA that public buildings are renovated or built. And he has stated here, this is not the first time that when INEC Headquarters was relocated to Abuja, it was FCDA. It is good that he says that because so many people will go and begin to say all kinds of things. So it’s good that he explained that”.
He assured that the structure will be given all the time it is required to see that during: “your first tenure, this project is completed, that you can be assured that we’ll do that, and with the kind of support you’ve given to us, we’ll make sure that the contractor delivers. I don’t know where he comes from, but by the time he finishes, he’ll be back, because I’ve made sure that he stays under the sun, under the rain, and justifies the money that we are paying.
“Mr. President, I will invite you to talk to us and then lay the foundation of this very important project to the glory of God. Such as the Election Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC). Beyond these facilities, the building plan has provision for a museum to serve as a repository for the physical and digital history of elections and electoral activities in Nigeria. This will afford citizens, particularly students who regularly visit the Commission on excursion, the opportunity to appreciate the evolution of our electoral history, as is the case in many jurisdictions around the world.
“The main building opposite the present site shall remain the National Headquarters of the Commission. When completed, the new building will complement the main building. For me personally, this is a special occasion. After almost ten years of persistent effort, the construction of the INEC Annex Building is finally a reality.
“At this point, all that remains for me, on behalf of the Commissioners and staff of the Commission, is to thank Your Excellency, Mr. President, for making it happen and for your personal presence. I would also like to appreciate the presence of the Senate President, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“We are similarly appreciative of the Honourable Minister of the FCT for his diligent pursuit of the project as well as the leadership of the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in the National Assembly, leaders of political parties and all stakeholders for their presence and support.”
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