Damaturu, Yobe — The Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission (YBSIEC) has fixed Saturday, June 6, 2026, for local government elections across the state’s 17 local government areas.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ engagement in Damaturu, formally setting the timetable for the next phase of grassroots democratic governance in the state.
What was announced
YBSIEC confirmed that elections will be conducted simultaneously in all 17 LGAs, covering chairmanship and councillorship positions. The commission said the election date was approved following consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Key details from the commission
Speaking at the meeting, Mohammed Grema Nguru, Permanent Member I of YBSIEC, said the election date received the approval of Governor Mai Mala Buni after engagements with security agencies, political parties, and civil society organisations.
Nguru said the commission is committed to organising free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections, adding that adequate preparations are already underway to ensure a smooth process.
He also called on the media, political actors, and security agencies to support voter education and public sensitisation efforts ahead of the polls.
Nomination fees and eligibility requirements
According to the election guidelines released by YBSIEC, nomination fees have been set as follows:
Chairmanship: ₦300,000
Vice-chairmanship: ₦250,000
Councillorship: ₦200,000
To be eligible to contest, candidates must:
Be at least 30 years old for chairmanship positions and 25 years old for councillorship
Be a resident of the local government area they seek to represent
Possess at least a school certificate or its equivalent
Successfully complete a security screening process
Prospective candidates are required to pay the stipulated fees before collecting nomination forms from the commission.
Stakeholders urged to ensure peaceful polls
YBSIEC stressed the need for collective responsibility, urging political parties to field credible, community-focused candidates and calling on voters to participate peacefully.
Security agencies were also tasked with developing strategies to guarantee uninterrupted voting across all polling units on election day.
Why this matters
Local government elections play a critical role in Nigeria’s democratic structure, determining leadership at the level closest to citizens. By fixing a clear election date, YBSIEC provides political parties, candidates, and voters with sufficient time to prepare for participation in the democratic process across Yobe State.
