From Umar Alibe, in Damaturu
The Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission (YOSIEC) has commenced the screening of candidates for the September 26, 2026, local government elections.
YOSIEC Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Yabani, announced this on Tuesday in Damaturu, stating that the exercise would run from September 1 to 7 across the state’s three senatorial zones.
Councillorship candidates are being screened at designated zonal centres, while chairmanship and vice-chairmanship candidates are undergoing screening at the commission’s headquarters in Damaturu.
Yabani said screening teams had commenced work in Zones A and B, with Potiskum serving as the screening centre for Zone B.
He added that Zone C would use two locations, including the zonal headquarters and Nguru, due to its size.
He said the screening of chairmanship and vice-chairmanship candidates would be completed by September 7.
Yabani assured stakeholders that the process was being conducted in accordance with the Constitution and relevant electoral laws.
He explained that the election date was shifted from June 6 to September 26 after the state amended the relevant law to prevent a clash with political party primaries scheduled for May.
He added that the commission would screen candidates based on constitutional requirements and its approved guidelines.
