» FOSIECON's History, Mission & Objectives

Section 197 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for the establishment in each State of an Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) charged mainly with the responsibility of conducting Local Government Elections Early in the life of the present Political dispensation, some State Governments proceeded to setup this commission while others did so much later but as at present, we have SIEC in all the 36 states of the Federation.

As at August, 2000, Kebbi State Independent Electoral Commission was already conducting Bye- Election into Councillorship position. The Commission invited SIECs in the neighbouring States of Sokoto, Zamfara and Gombe to attend as observers. On Friday, 25th August, 2000, the Executive Chairman and Electoral Commissioners of Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Gombe states, held a meeting at Shagaliaku Hotel in Bernin-Kebbi when after, thorough deliberations, they resolved to set up a forum to be known as – Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON).

The aim and objectives of the Forum as spelt out are as follows:-

1. To exchange ideas and share experiences on how to conduct elections at the 'grassroots' level.
2. To articulate and appraise common problems, strategies and aspirations.
3. To publicise the existence of the newly created FORUM, which will serve as an umbrella platform for all the State Independent Electoral Commissions nationwide.
4. To see to the establishment of State Electoral Commission in all States of the Federation including Abuja.

At the end of the meeting, interim official were elected to run the offices of the FORUM. Those elected were as follows:

Of particular interest is the election of Hon. Justice J. Omo Agege, CJ (rtd) who was elected then as the 1st Vice Chairman, despite the fact that he was not the meeting. This position was, however, understandable as Delta State was among the first states to set up her SIEC and in her pioneering role, DSIEC assisted in no small measure in the growth of other SIECs in their teething periods.

Elected officials of the FORUM continue to function. Although intended to be interim, they had become permanent. This has been so because of the successful manner the team has conducted the affairs of the FORUM. Regrettably, however, we have lost the initial chairman, Alhaji Zagga of Kebbi State and the 3rd Vice Chairman, Alhaji Zambuk of Gombe SIEC. The Forum continues to wax stronger as the executive members continued to carry out the objective for which she was founded, the first Secretary of the FORUM, Barr. Y.S. Dukku has been succeeded in the office by Barr.(Dr) Nuhu Mohammed Jamo of Kaduna SIEC as the Natioinal Secretary General of the FORUM.

At the 5th SIEC’s Chairmen meeting in Ibro Hotel Abuja, on the 14th – 16th August, 2001, six coordinators were appointed to assist the National Chairman in the implementation of FOSIECON resolutions and other allied matters as they affect their respective zones.

The coordinators were as follows:

The South – Western Zone Coordinator has since been replaced by Professor R.B. Fatuyi, Chairman Ondo State SIEC.

Chief Christo Alazigha (JP), Chairman of Bayelsa State SIEC has been from inception the National Treasurer. At the end of his tenure as Chairman of Bayels State Electoral Commision, he was succeeded by Bar Mrs Adeline Idike JP (MON) Chairman of Ebonyi State Independent Electoral commission as the National Treasurer of the Forum.

The present leadership of the Forum headed by Prof. Amb. S.O. Emejuaiwe, has come through the growth of the Forum. From the foundational leadership of Alh. Zagga of Kebbi State, Hon Justice Omo-Agege OFR of Delta State took over, he handed over the executive headed by the indefatigable Alh Aliyu Malami Yandoto of Zamfara SIEC; who was succeeded by the present Administraiton of Prof. Emejuaiwe of Abia State Independent Electoral Commisison.

“The establishment of State Electoral Commissions was provided for in Section 178(1)(c) of the 1979 Constitution and also in Section 197(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution. These two Constitutions were authored by different sets of eminent citizens of the Country Nigeria. They did not make this provisions in error neither could it be said that they never had considered the reasons being advanced by the antagonists of the creation of State Electoral Commissions. It is sure their genuine interest to ensure that the country practices true federalism overrode any other parochial and flimsy consideration. State Independent Electoral Commission is established to function as the peoples electoral body, composed of people properly known and identifiable within the community and, will remain accountable to their people for their actions even when they are no longer is offices. In other words, SIECs are rightly the peoples truly owned electoral commissions for the conduct of the peoples own local government elections and by the people themselves. In the words of Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, then Chairman River State Independent Electoral Commission. “This is what I refer to as “SIECTOCRACY”. There should therefore not be any argument as to the desirability of its existence for it is fundamentally and morally desirable to exist and be sustained”.