Governors Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State have opposed calls for the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), advocating instead for comprehensive reforms to strengthen their independence, credibility, and effectiveness.
The two governors made their positions known on Wednesday in Jos at the opening of the 13th National Delegates Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON)themed:Local Government Elections in Nigeria:Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.
Governor Mutfwang argued that Nigeria’s democratic setbacks at the local government level stem more from leadership failures than from the existence of SIECs.
He recalled that past elections in Plateau State were marred by irregularities, including results being announced before voting and the disqualification of opposition candidates.
“When we came on board, we decided to hold local government elections. Were they perfect? No. But I can say with confidence that we raised the bar. The opposition party won in Mangu Local Government, and even in my hometown, the councillor is from the opposition,” he said.
Mutfwang stressed that rather than abolishing state electoral bodies, reforms should aim to shield them from political interference.
He noted that Plateau State appointed its SIEC chairperson based on a recommendation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not political patronage.
Similarly, Governor Abdullahi Sule warned that abolishing SIECs would not resolve the fundamental issues facing Nigeria’s electoral process.
“If you scrap the state commissions, you’re not solving the root problem—you’re just moving it around,” he said, identifying political interference, inadequate funding, and public distrust as persistent challenges.
Sule added that despite pressure to influence local elections, his administration prioritized credibility. “Everybody wants control. But control doesn’t build democracy. What we need are leaders who fear God, who have a vision, and who are willing to serve the people,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Samuel Egwu identified systemic flaws in local government elections, such as lack of transparency and political meddling.
He criticized the tendency of ruling parties to maintain control over councils through caretaker committees or manipulated polls.
“On the strength of the quality of elections conducted by many SIECs, one would be correct to appropriate the concept of electoral authoritarianism,” he remarked.
Egwu called for reforms in appointment procedures, funding mechanisms, and the constitutional recognition of SIECs.
FOSIECON National Chairman, Chief (Barr.) Jossy Chibundu Eze, decried the persistent political interference and lack of financial autonomy confronting state electoral bodies.
“SIEC is constitutionally independent, yet denied financial autonomy. It is blamed for outcomes outside its control and sometimes even disbanded through mere radio announcements,” he said.
Eze urged stakeholders to focus on strengthening rather than dissolving the commissions, and commended the Plateau State Government for hosting the conference.
Representing INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Plateau State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Oliver Agundu, described the conference as timely. He emphasized the need for synergy between INEC and SIECs to enhance the electoral process.
Agundu also encouraged state commissions to improve voter education, pre-election planning, and post-election engagement to restore public trust.
The conference, which featured key stakeholders and electoral experts, aimed at strengthening democratic processes and enhancing the credibility of local government elections.
