Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has called for the strengthening of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to ensure the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections that will bring about God-fearing and development-driven leadership at the grassroots.
Governor Mutfwang maintained that scrapping the SIECs is not the solution to the challenges associated with local government elections. Instead, he emphasized the need for leadership rooted in integrity and a genuine commitment to democratic values.
The Governor made the remarks while declaring open the 13th National Delegates Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions (FOSIECOM), held on Wednesday in Jos.
“I would like to submit that the entire challenge of national development and institutional strengthening boils down to leadership,” he stated. “When leaders are determined to do what is right, it reflects in every aspect of governance. We need leaders with conscience, leaders who are passionate about their people and committed to changing the course of history.
“In fact, the conversation should even start with our process of leadership recruitment. We must develop strategies that help us identify and support individuals who genuinely have the interest of the people at heart.
“Bad governance not only undermines democracy but also leads to wasteful spending and underdevelopment. When elections cost billions of naira but lack credibility and fairness, it amounts to pouring national resources down the drain,” he added.
Also speaking, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, echoed the need to retain and reform SIECs rather than abolish them. He stressed that the real threat to their effectiveness is not merely underfunding but political interference.
“As a governor for six years, I can confirm that one of the biggest challenges facing SIECs is political interference,” Governor Sule said. “When I came in, I had the mindset of conducting free and fair elections at the local government level, influenced by American democratic ideals. But that idea was resisted by stakeholders and party loyalists. This is the reality in many states.”
In a remark, the National Chairman of FOSIECOM, Mr. Jossy Eze, reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to promoting effective administration and credible local government elections. He noted that the conference offers a platform for stakeholders to engage in critical discussions toward strengthening SIEC operations across the country.
Gyang Bere
Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Executive Governor of Plateau State
May 22, 2025.
