The Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission has commenced the screening of candidates seeking chairmanship, vice-chairmanship and councillorship positions ahead of the September 26, 2026 local government elections.
The commission’s chairman, Dr Ibrahim Yabani, disclosed this during a press briefing in Damaturu, saying the screening exercise would continue from September 1 to 7 across designated centres in the state.
According to Yabani, councillorship aspirants are being screened across three zones, with Zone A located in Damaturu, Zone B in Potiskum and Zone C covering Bade and Nguru Local Government Areas.
Chairmanship and vice-chairmanship candidates, however, are being screened at the commission’s headquarters in Damaturu.
Yabani said the commission would strictly apply constitutional requirements throughout the exercise, stressing that only candidates who meet the stipulated qualifications would be cleared to contest.
“The screening guidelines are very clear; it is adopted from the Constitution,” he said, adding that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, provides the qualifications for candidates seeking local government offices.
The commission also disclosed that political parties would begin campaigns on September 18 and conclude them on September 25.
As part of preparations for the election, YSIEC has trained electoral officers across Yobe’s 17 local government areas, while election materials are expected to be deployed on September 24.
The local government elections are scheduled to hold across the state on September 26, 2026.
