Nigeria: Forum demands administrative, financial autonomy for SIECs
The call and recommendations were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of FOSIECON's 13th National Delegates' Conference (NDC), held in Jos, Plateau State from May 20-25, 2025. The communiqué was jointly signed by Chief Barr. Jossy C. Eze, National Chairman, and Associate Professor Joseph I. Aremo, National Secretary of the Forum.
The communiqué called for the administrative independence and financial autonomy of SIECs to be prioritised, describing this as a necessary step toward strengthening their ability to deliver on their constitutional mandates. 'Improved autonomy,' the communiqué stated, 'is the foundation for restoring public trust in the conduct of local government elections.'
To address growing concerns about public perception and misinformation, the communiqué urged SIECs to 'embark on regular public engagements with election stakeholders across the 768 local government areas,' adding that such efforts would help build public confidence in the capacity of SIECs to conduct credible and transparent polls.
It also highlighted the critical role of political parties and citizens in enhancing democratic accountability. According to the communiqué, 'Political parties, as the only platforms for nominating candidates for elections, should evolve mechanisms that support the emergence of leadership with proven integrity.'
It further called on the electorate to 'consistently monitor and assess the performance of their elected representatives in order to promote accountability.'
Building on existing electoral reforms, the communiqué recommended the extension of legal and institutional frameworks that have strengthened the operations of INEC and also enable financial autonomy for SIECs, noting that such reforms would enable more effective and standardised performance at the state level.
On legislative reform, the communiqué urged state houses of assembly to 'adopt the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 regarding the procedure for conducting Area Council elections.' Doing so, it said, would 'help ensure uniformity and certainty in the conduct of local government elections.'
In addition, the communiqué emphasised the importance of grassroots education and voter mobilisation, encouraging SIECs to deepen partnerships with civil society organisations and development partners to support voter education and civic engagement. 'All politics is local,' the communiqué read, 'and it is essential that SIECs become not just administrators of elections but champions of civic competence.'
The communiqué also rejected calls for the abolition of SIECs, labelling such proposals as 'mischievous and anti-federalist.' It reaffirmed that SIECs remain constitutionally protected and vital to Nigeria's democratic development. This position was publicly supported by Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Abdullahi Sule, both of whom attended the conference as special guests.
Themed 'Local Government Elections in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities,' the conference brought together participants from all 36 states, including representatives from academia, civil society, and key electoral stakeholders. Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) programme, Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) were also in attendance.
Technical sessions featured expert presentations, including a keynote address by Prof. Samuel Egwu, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State. Other sessions explored topics such as SIECs' Independence: Panacea for Credible LG Polls by Assoc. Prof. Mohammed B. Babanumma; Election Management Bodies, Electoral Process and the Law by Prof. Alphonsus Okoh Alubo, SAN; The Role of SIECs in Grassroots Democracy by Barr. Cynthia Mbamalu; and Voter Education, Civic Competence, and Participatory Democracy in Nigeria by Mr. Martins Oloja.
More than 300 delegates from across the federation participated in the conference, reaffirming FOSIECON's commitment to strengthening electoral credibility and inclusive democracy at the grassroots level.
Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
Morocco reports progress on trans-Africa gas pipeline
The Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project seems to be making significant progress, with Rabat hosting this week several high-level meetings to discuss the project. The project, which will stretch across 13 African countries, gained momentum during technical and steering committee meetings held during 10-11 July in Rabat. The gatherings brought together top executives from national oil companies across West Africa to review the project's progress. The ambitious pipeline has already cleared several important milestones with detailed design completed in 2024, and environmental and social impact assessments completed for the northern section. Similar studies for the southern segment, running from Nigeria to Senegal, are now underway. The pipeline will carry 30 billion cubic metres of gas annually when complete. Developers plan to build it in phases, with a holding company overseeing financing and construction. Three separate project companies will handle different segments of the route, according to Moroccan officials. During the Rabat meetings, officials signed a new memorandum of understanding between three key players, namely Nigeria's National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Morocco's ONHYM, and Togo's National Gas Company (SOTOGAZ). The agreement marks Togo's official entry into the project and completes the series of partnerships with all countries along the pipeline route. The pipeline will start in Nigeria and run along the Atlantic coast through Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal, and Mauritania before reaching Morocco. From there, it will connect to the existing Maghreb-Europe Pipeline and European gas networks. The project will also supply gas to three landlocked countries, including Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. (Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon) (
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
President Ramaphosa offers condolences on the passing of former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari
On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the Government and nation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following the passing of Former President Muhammadu Buhari. President Ramaphosa's thoughts are primarily with the family of Former President Buhari who has passed away at the age of 82. President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the family, friends, former colleagues and associates of the late President Buhari, who led the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 2015 to 2018. President Ramaphosa said: 'As South Africa, we stand with the nation of Nigeria in your mourning. 'President Buhari led Nigeria as a patriot and a champion not only of the best attributes of his nation during his leadership, but of the future that awaited his great country. 'I had the privilege of working closely with President Buhari on building relations between our country and sharing numerous reciprocal visits - including during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'These engagements were dedicated to intensifying cooperation in areas such as arts and culture, education, agriculture, trade and investment, mining, defence, immigration and science and technology. 'President Buhari's leadership brought our two nations closer together and as we did so, this partnership contributed to Africa's collective growth and development. 'This is a legacy on which we will continue to build.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) permanent representatives committee confers with the commissioner of political affairs, peace and security
The Standing Committee on Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the ECOWAS Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) conferred with the ECOWAS Commission's Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah on the 10th of July 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria. Discussions centred on ways of consolidating the existing collaboration between the PRC and the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security as well as the enhancement of strategic information flow and implementation of decisions by the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. Led by His Excellency Musa Sani Nuhu, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS, the Ambassadors expressed great appreciation to the Commissioner and the Department for the strong and close partnership in working together over the last three years on matters of peace and stability in West Africa. On his part, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah congratulated the Sierra Leonean High Commissioner, His Excellency Julius Sandy on his country's ascension to Chairmanship of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and noted that the need for constant interactions with the ambassadors cannot be overemphasised. The Commissioner who was flanked by the Director, Peace Keeping and Regional Security (DPKRS) Dr. Cyriaque Agnekethom, Gen. Mactar Diop, Chief of Staff of the ECOWAS Standby Force and staff of the Department stressed that high-pitched attention will continue to be paid to the work of the Department owing to its strategic role in providing responses to core issues of sustainable peace, security, stability and regional integration. He further harped on the need to have an organic and structured way of feeding into the decision-making processes that are also binding on stakeholders, similar to the arrangements at the United Nations and the African Union. 'There is a need to think regionally. We need that two-way communication between the Department and Member States. How do we contribute as a Department to make sure that the PRC achieves its goals. The forum is therefore something to embrace as it creates an avenue to exchange ideas for the benefit of our region' The Commissioner added. Members of the Permanent Representatives assured the Department and ECOWAS of their continuous cooperation to move the region forward Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
