The National Assembly is now revising the constitution, and two state governors, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, have spoken out strongly against the idea of dissolving SIECs.
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During Wednesday’s 13th Annual Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions (FOSIECON) at the Crispan Hotel in Jos, Plateau State, the governors voiced their opinions. Removing SIECs is not going to solve election problems, according to Governor Mutfwang.
Rather than proposing the elimination of the commissions, he advocated for their strengthening and urged for substantial revisions. As for the proposal to do away with state electoral commissions, he vehemently disagreed.
Instead of getting rid of the system altogether, focus on fixing the parts that aren’t working. There has to be better communication and cooperation between INEC and the SIECs. States should have unfettered access to voter data since it belongs to all Nigerians, not just INEC.
By stating, “Section 7 of our Constitution mandates democratic elections at the local government level,” he further argued for the need for local governments to have autonomy in their administration. I am pleased. Local governments should be managed according to the states’ best interests. At times, the drive for independence takes our attention away from what really matters: efficiency.
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Governor Sule made a similar case, stating that eliminating SIECs would not resolve the issue of elections but would only move it.
He vehemently disagreed with the decision to disband SIECs. The federal level is not immune to the problems we observe in the states. Doing away with SIECs will only move the problem to a different location. Reform, solid processes, and honest leadership are what we require.
Another group that had an opinion on the matter was civil society organizations (CSOs). Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) Chairman Reverend Christopher Damcher praised the commission’s work, calling the state’s most recent municipal election legitimate, fair, and devoid of fraud.
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Professor Samuel Egwu argued in a keynote speech titled “Local Government Elections in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities” that INEC and state commissioners should be evaluated equally and attacked the practice of disparaging INEC while praising it.
In his opening remarks, FOSIECON National Chairman Barrister Jossy Eze welcomed attendees and expressed regret that Special Investigations Executive Committees (SIECs) continue to be one of the most ill-defined and attacked branches of government. A lively discussion and workable ideas, he hoped, would emerge from the conference.
The conference brought together electoral stakeholders, civil society groups, and political leaders to reflect on the future of grassroots democracy in Nigeria amid growing calls for electoral reform.