FOSIECON Confab Holds May 21 in Jos
- Plateau is ready to host the nation – PLASIEC Chairman
- Issues, Challenges and Opportunities in LG Polls for Discussions
Our correspondent
Local Government Elections in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities are the issues that will dominate discussion at the forthcoming delegates conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON).
Addressing newsmen in Jos ahead of the conference slated for May 21st to 23rd, May 2025, Chairman of Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, Mr. Plangji Daniel Cishak stated that the theme for conference “Local Government Elections in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities,” is “both timely and compelling,” as according to him, it is a theme that “calls for sober reflection, informed debate, and actionable outcomes.”
The conference, according to the PLASIEC Chairman, is more than a gathering of officials but a “platform for learning, self-assessment, and shared growth.”
On the significance of the conference, Mr Cishak said, “It offers electoral commissions an opportunity to engage in peer review, examine challenges, share innovations, and chart a collective path forward.
“Central to the conversation will be the future of SIECS themselves. While some have questioned their independence, we at PLASIEC believe that scrapping them is unconstitutional and catastrophic to the collective aspirations of our people for the creation of strong democratic structures at the grassroots. Instead, we must pursue reform, capacity-building, and the standardisation of processes across the country.”
The PLASIEC Chairman disclosed that the Commission would be hosting no fewer than 304 delegates from the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT.
He added that participants will include Chairmen, Secretaries and Commissioners of the various State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECS).
“The opening ceremony will be held under the distinguished chairmanship of His Majesty, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, whose leadership continues to serve as a source of institutional wisdom and moral direction.
“In addition, we are expecting three serving governors, representatives of the Forum of Nigerian House of Assembly Speakers, and members of the National Assembly—particularly the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters.”
On the participation of some State governors and National Assembly members, the PLASIEC Chairman explained that their participation underscores the national significance of the issues on the table and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening local governance through credible elections.
Describing the partnership between the media and the Commission, as “not just supportive but strategic,” the PLASIEC Chairman tasked the media to use their “tools to document history, challenge falsehoods, amplify facts, and ensure that the discussions and decisions reached at this conference resonate far beyond the walls of the venue.
“I urge you to take this responsibility seriously and give this event the prominence and wide coverage it deserves.
“I thank you once again for your continued partnership and service to our democracy. Plateau is ready to host the nation, and with your support, we are confident that this conference will be a turning point in our collective quest to deepen grassroots democracy in Nigeria.”
20
Post Comment