FOSIECON’s 2025 Jos Conference Issues Strong Communiqué on Strengthening Grassroots Democracy in Nigeria

FOSIECON’s 2025 Jos Conference Issues Strong Communiqué on Strengthening Grassroots Democracy in Nigeria

The 13th National Delegates’ Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) convened from May 20th to 23rd, 2025, in Jos, Plateau State, culminating in a powerful communiqué that sets the agenda for credible local government elections across Nigeria.

FOSIECON, the umbrella organization of the 36 State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), plays a pivotal role in organizing elections for chairmen and councillors in Nigeria’s 768 local government councils. This year’s conference was driven by the urgent need to improve the integrity and transparency of grassroots elections, which are fundamental to democratic governance at the community level.

The Jos gathering brought together electoral leaders from 27 states, alongside key stakeholders including government officials, civil society representatives, and international partners. The theme, “Local Government Elections in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities,” framed robust discussions on how SIECs can overcome challenges and deliver elections that reflect the will of the people.

In his keynote address, Prof. Samuel Egwu of INEC Benue State highlighted the critical role of SIECs in fostering grassroots democracy. Other experts presented insightful papers on topics such as SIECs’ independence, electoral laws, voter education, and civic engagement.

   After three days of intensive deliberations, the conference delegates issued a communiqué that underscores several vital recommendations:

• Autonomy for SIECs: Administrative and financial independence must be prioritized to empower SIECs to fulfill their constitutional mandates without undue interference.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Regular and meaningful public engagement at the local government level is essential to build confidence in the electoral process.

• Political Accountability: Political parties should nominate candidates of proven integrity, while voters should actively hold their elected representatives accountable.

• Legal Reforms: The success of reforms that enhanced the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) operations should be extended to SIECs to standardize and improve local election procedures.

• Legislative Alignment: State legislatures are urged to adopt relevant provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act to ensure uniformity and clarity in conducting local government elections.

• Voter Education: Collaboration with civil society and development partners is crucial to enhancing voter education and civic competence at the grassroots, emphasizing that “All Politics is Local.”

The communiqué firmly rejected calls to abolish SIECs, labeling such proposals as contrary to Nigeria’s federal constitution. Instead, it recognized SIECs as indispensable institutions for democratic leadership recruitment at the grassroots level, poised to overcome existing challenges through strengthened autonomy and capacity.

The 2025 Jos Conference communiqué represents a decisive commitment by electoral stakeholders to deepen democracy in Nigeria by ensuring credible local government elections. By implementing these recommendations, Nigeria can enhance transparency, boost public trust, and solidify the foundation of grassroots governance.