FOSIECON - The Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria

FOSIECON 7TH NATIONAL DELEGATES CONFERENCE IN DELTA STATE

Asaba the Delta State Capital Played host to the 7th Delegates Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON). The body comprises of all the State Electoral Commissions in Nigeria. Delegates came from thirty-four out of the thirty-six states in Nigeria. The conference was declared open by the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan. In his opening speech, which was read by his representative;

Prof Amos Utuamah

the Deputy Governorof Delta State, Prof Amos Utuamah, the governor said 'It is nice to be in the midst of Nigerians charged with the enormous responsibility of supervising elections at the grassroot level. It is commendable that you have found it necessary to have this meeting, because through such gathering you will garner strength by useful exchange of ideas and experience. He welcomed the delegates to the Nation's Big Heart. He wish delegates fruitful deliberations and concluded by saying "I sincerely hope that your schedule will allow you enough time to go round the State to savour the wonderful hospitality of our people. More....

The Hosting Commission Chairman, Hon Justice Samuel Gege Jaho, in his welcome speech to the convention said, "I must commend our forebears, who saw the need to establish this Forum. It has in no little measure, been of great assistance to her membership. It has encouraged cross-fertilization of ideas and also made herself a platform for assessing the overall performance in the task of election delivery. Once more, I must say that I do not intend to bore you with a lengthy speech as some persons may want to say. This one has been, but just to say in the words I have been permitted to use, I say once more, welcome to the big heart and God bless you as you stay and enjoy this Conference". More......

Prof S.O. Emejuaiwe

The National Chairman of FOSIECON and Chairman of Abia State Independent Electoral Commission., Prof. S.O. Emejuaiwe, in his keynote address at the convention addressed a nummber of issues, viz-a-vis legality of SIEC's existence in the Nigerian Political arrangement, History of FOSIECON, perenial problems of SIECs financing and relationship with the Federal INEC. He also made mention of the problem of late delivery of Electoral Voters' register to SIECs by INEC as a major case in point. In his conclusion, he said."I wish to once more thank His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Delta State (The Big Heart), Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Government and People of Delta State for the wonderful support given to Delta SIEC for the hosting of this conference. From the hospitality showered on us so far we will find the atmosphere in Delta State conducive and congenial throughout our stay. We thank our host Chairman and his colleagues in the Commission for the beautiful arrangements made for the success of this conference. We pray God to continue to bless your efforts. More....

TECHNICAL PAPER PRESENTATIONS

Technical Papers addressing different issues in election management were presented in the three days convention. The first paper was presented by A doctor of Political Science from the University of Port Harcourt Dr. Stephen Okorodudu. His paper was titled " ISSUES-ORIENTED CAMPAIGNS AND VOTERS CHOICE IN NIGERIA: Agenda for Electoral Reform". In his discuss of the topic he said " Since 1999, Nigerian rulers have been making strenuous efforts to convince the

Dr. Stephen Okorodudu

world that democracy is practiced in the country. Protagonists of this view are quick to point at the multi-party democratic elections (of 1999, 2003 and 2007) that first ushered in the Obasanjo and now the Umaru Yar’Adua, administrations. The antagonists, on the other hand insist that the elections of 1999, 2003 and 2007 were fraudulent and undemocratic. In addition, they argue that governance is notorious for executive intolerance; disregard for the rule of law and extra-judicial killings.

The controversy naturally raises some discernible challenges. These challenges include: The issue of elections that leads to the transitions from one regime to another: How free and fair have they been, since 1999? Protection of Liberties Human Rights: Are rights better protected now since 1999? What about the Rule of Law, the Issue of Good Governance arid problems associated with elections and electioneering campaigns in Nigeria? Do we yet have the proper handle on these?. More.......

The second paper was presented by the Hon. Justice (Dr.)Dorubo Narebor (Rtd.) LL.M. (Lond.), Ph.D (Lond.), B.L. Professor of Law, College of Law, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State.
His paper was titled SECURITY MANAGEMENT IN ELECTION DELIVERY:Case Study Of State Independent Electoral Commissions In Nigeria.

Hon. Justice Dorubo Narebor (Rtd)

In his discuss, the Hon. Justice defined the term Security, appreciated the limitation on discussion by limited data availiblity. He then took a look at different reported incidents and situations that has always posed security challenges to election managers. To address the issues discussed, he gave his suggestions of what should be the approach to address security both by enabling lesgislation and provision of infrastructure for law enforcement agencies. He concluded his paper by saying " Before the next general elections, the 1999 Nigerian Constitution should be amended to reflect electoral federalism or character in State Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections. These elections should be conducted, controlled and supervised by State Independent Electoral Commissions which should be facilitated by special federal logistics including funds and security. The Supreme Court has vindicated itself as the last hope of all of us common men. Thus, any legal problem emanating from State gubernatorial and Houses of Assembly elections will be given copper-bottom legal resolution.

This will not be the last time we will have election controversies and problems. No election in the history of the free world had been perfect. Indeed, America had its florida recount where ‘electronic’ computation was abandoned for manual counting. By the April 2007 elections, we successfully transited from civilian to civilian Government by the ballot box without recourse to any take-over through the barrels of the gun. We are a blessed nation not cursed. More .......

As James Buchan said:
“The ballot is surest arbiter of
Political disputes amongst free men”

The Last Technical paper of the convension was presented by Mr. Jide Ojo Senior Programme Officer, IFES-Nigeria. His paper was titled "MONEY POLITICS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS: THE NEED FOR CONTROL". In his discussion of the subject matter he was very detailed; an introduction to the topic, he conceptual clarification of the subject went on the analyse the topic in the eyes of the enabling laws of the federation. gave recommendations to a number of situations where money politics have marred the poilitical experience of the Nigerian State. In his conclusion he said.
"In conclusion, elections into Local Council are the most crucial of all the elections. It used to be the barometer with which political parties measure their chances in other elections. Local governance impacted most on the people living in the communities, hence the keen interest council elections generate. It is expected that in due course these elections will start taking place consequent upon the release of the revised voters list to SIECs by INEC. It behooves you as SIECs managers to deliver credible elections to Nigerians in the forthcoming elections. It is hoped that you will find the political will to ensure that all political parties and candidates contesting the forthcoming polls play by the rules and that breach of political finance regulations are promptly sanctioned. We must not encourage the institution of ‘the best government money can buy". More ......