The Chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, has called for greater collaboration among electoral stakeholders to ensure credible local government elections in Kogi State as Nigeria begins implementation of the new Electoral Act 2026.
Speaking at a high-level retreat held on Wednesday, Eri described the gathering as a strategic meeting aimed at strengthening transparency, integrity and public confidence in the state’s electoral process.
He said the retreat came at a crucial period in Nigeria’s democratic journey, noting that while the new electoral law presents opportunities for reforms, it also places greater responsibility on all those involved in election management.
According to him, the credibility of any electoral system depends not only on the strength of the legal framework but also on the sincerity, professionalism and cooperation of stakeholders.
“The success of any electoral system rests not only on the robustness of the legal framework but also on the sincerity, professionalism and collaboration of stakeholders,” he said.
The retreat, with the theme, “A Panacea for Credible Electoral System,” was organised to deepen understanding of the provisions of the new Electoral Act, address likely implementation challenges and promote synergy among political parties, regulators and election managers ahead of the forthcoming council polls.
Eri urged participants to contribute meaningfully to discussions, share ideas and demonstrate commitment to democratic values in order to build a more credible electoral system in the state.
In his remarks, the Secretary of the Commission, Hon. Muhammad Usman, said the retreat was organised to familiarise stakeholders with the new electoral laws and guide their actions in line with the provisions of the Act.
He also commended the Managing Consultant, Hon. Bamidele Suru, for his contribution to simplifying the Commission’s work.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Mr. Iliyas Badanga, praised KOSIEC for organising the retreat and assured the Commission of the support of political parties toward the success of the forthcoming local government elections.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, Mr. Idris Miliki, described the retreat as an innovative step in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Miliki urged political parties to study the provisions of the new law and ensure compliance in their dealings with KOSIEC.
The retreat is expected to produce practical strategies that will improve trust, accountability and efficiency in Kogi State’s electoral system ahead of future elections.
Other dignitaries at the event included KOSIEC Commissioners: Hon. Chief Labaran Oyigebe, Hon. Umar Abdulmalik, Hon. Jamiu Abdul Kareem, Hon. Friday Achema, Hon. Segun Ogbonikan and Hon. Jimoh Omeiza.
