General News
FOSIECON Pushes for Strategic Alliance with Independent National Electoral Commission to Improve LG Polls
The Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) has intensified efforts to strengthen the credibility of local government elections with a formal request for deeper institutional collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The call was made on Tuesday during a high-level visit by FOSIECON officials to INEC headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, FOSIECON National Chairman, Mamman Nda Eri, described the engagement as a proactive step toward enhancing professionalism, transparency, and public confidence in grassroots elections conducted by State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).
He noted that while INEC and SIECs operate under separate constitutional mandates, greater cooperation would promote uniform standards and improve electoral outcomes at the local level.
Learning from INEC’s Reforms
Eri commended INEC for its technological innovations and reform-driven initiatives, particularly the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
According to him, these digital tools have significantly enhanced transparency, reduced incidents of manipulation, and strengthened voter trust in the electoral process.
FOSIECON, he said, is seeking structured collaboration that would enable SIECs to benefit from INEC’s technical expertise, especially in areas of election planning, logistics management, ICT systems, and security coordination.
Reform Priorities
The forum outlined key areas for partnership, including capacity building, technology-sharing within constitutional limits, policy and legal reforms, joint voter education initiatives, and research-driven data exchange.
Eri emphasized that harmonizing best practices across federal and state electoral bodies would contribute to improved accountability and more credible local government elections.
International Backing
FOSIECON also highlighted recent support received during the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections from the European Union, the Supporting Democratic Governance in Nigeria (SDGN) programme, and DAI Global.
The chairman said the partnerships helped improve professional standards, election observation practices, and institutional reform efforts among state electoral commissions.
Strengthening Democracy at the Grassroots
Analysts say enhanced synergy between INEC and SIECs could help address longstanding concerns surrounding the transparency and credibility of local government elections across Nigeria.
With renewed engagement between the two bodies, stakeholders believe Nigeria may witness stronger electoral governance at the grassroots level, where democratic processes have the most direct impact on citizens.
President Bola Tinubu has urged the National Assembly to consider the establishment of state police as part of the ongoing amendment to the 1999 Constitution.
The President made the call while breaking fast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he encouraged lawmakers to be courageous and forward-looking in their constitutional review process.
According to him, the country requires bold reforms to address its security and governance challenges. He, however, cautioned the legislators to be mindful of what he described as “banana peels” that could derail the amendment process.
Tinubu commended the National Assembly for its cooperation with the executive arm on key national reforms, describing the relationship between both arms of government as harmonious and driven by a shared commitment to national unity, stability and prosperity.
Responding to criticisms that his administration is suppressing opposition voices and allegedly steering the country towards a one-party state, the President dismissed the claims.
“I don’t have a licensed gun to kill opposition,” Tinubu said, stressing that he cannot be blamed for political realignments and internal crises within opposition parties.
He maintained that political developments within parties are products of democratic choices and not executive interference.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, reaffirmed the commitment of the Senate to constructive engagement with the executive, particularly on constitutional reforms and national security matters.
Akpabio assured the President that the upper legislative chamber would carefully consider proposals aimed at strengthening governance and improving security architecture across the country, including the issue of state policing.
The meeting formed part of ongoing consultations between the executive and the legislature on critical national issues.
“You have my full support,” declared President Bola Tinubu on Thursday as he decorated Tunji Disu as the Acting Inspector-General of Police.
The ceremony, held at the State House in Abuja, comes at a time Nigeria continues to confront banditry, kidnapping and other security challenges.
President Tinubu charged the new acting police chief to restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and enforce discipline across all ranks. He emphasized the need for professionalism, accountability and respect for the rule of law in policing operations nationwide.
The President urged Disu to strengthen internal control mechanisms, improve intelligence gathering and foster closer collaboration between the police and local communities.
In his remarks, Acting IGP Disu pledged sweeping reforms within the Force, declaring that impunity would no longer be tolerated.
“The era of impunity in the Nigeria Police is over,” he said, assuring Nigerians that officers found wanting would face appropriate sanctions.
Disu also promised to prioritize officers’ welfare, enhance operational capacity and ensure that the Force operates in line with democratic principles and constitutional mandates.
Meanwhile, the Police Council is scheduled to meet next week to ratify his appointment in accordance with constitutional requirements.
The leadership change is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to reposition the Nigeria Police Force to effectively tackle rising security threats across the country.
The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has suspended a medical officer serving at one of the state’s secondary health facilities for allegedly reporting to duty under the influence of alcohol and engaging in unprofessional conduct while on duty.
The incident, which occurred at a government-owned health facility in Kano State, was promptly reported to the management of the Board. Preliminary findings by the authorities reportedly confirmed misconduct, prompting swift disciplinary action against the doctor.
The Board, however, did not disclose the name of the medical officer or the specific hospital where the incident occurred.
Executive Secretary of the Board, Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda, approved the immediate issuance of a formal query to the doctor and directed his suspension pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
In a statement issued by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Samira Sulaiman, the management described the alleged behaviour as grossly unacceptable and a clear violation of the ethical standards and professional code guiding medical practice.
The statement emphasised that healthcare delivery demands the highest level of responsibility, discipline and sound judgment, particularly in secondary health facilities where patients’ lives are entrusted to medical personnel.
Dr. Nagoda further stressed that the present administration under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf remains committed to restoring professionalism, accountability and excellence across all health institutions in the state.
According to him, any act capable of undermining public trust in the health system would be met with firm and appropriate sanctions.
The Board assured members of the public that a thorough investigation is ongoing and pledged that further action would be taken in line with civil service regulations and established medical ethics once the process is concluded.
It reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding patient safety, maintaining discipline among healthcare workers and ensuring quality service delivery across all secondary health facilities in Kano State.