COMMUNIQUE

The National Delegates Conference of FOSIECON held between 5th – 9th May, 2008 at Umuahia Abia State considered and examined many of the serious contemporary electoral problems affecting the Nation and Resolved as follows:-

1. The Forum urged that there is need for Nigerian political stakeholders to sanctify the electoral process so as to reduce voters’ apathy and strengthen the democratic institutions of the country.

2. the Forum noted the lack of ideological base of the political parties in the country which have led to lawlessness and total disregard for the sanctity of the electoral process in Nigeria and calls on all political parties in the country to evolve appropriate ideology;

3. the Forum observed the complete absence of the Nigerian Traditional moral and political values imbibed in our polity and therefore calls for the infusion of the best of our indigenous political system and culture in which the Constitution, political parties and electoral process will be based on Nigeria’s unique historical and socio-cultural experiences;

4. The Forum observed that lack of civic values; ineffective civic education, absence of democratic culture based on mutual tolerance, respect for human rights and rule of law, weak political opposition and ineffective representation by elected officials have led to voter-apathy and, calls for intensive political education of the electorate, development and sustenance of all democratic institutions.

5. the Forum identifies the multifarious problems which have tended to limit the performance of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) in the country such as inadequate funding, absence of well trained and skilled staff, lack of infrastructural and other support services, among others and therefore calls for adequate and direct funding for SIECs from the consolidated funds;

6. the Forum observe that electoral malpractices and violence have been on the increase since independence and heightened in the recent past elections (i.e 1999, 2003 and 2007 elections in particular); such as destruction of voting materials, snatching and stuffing of ballot boxes, manipulation of election results, registration and voting by the under-ages, among others and therefore calls for strict enforcement of the provisions of the Electoral Act dealing with such matters and the prosecution of all those apprehended in the commission of these crimes;

7. the Forum notes with satisfaction the setting up of the Electoral Reform Committee by the President, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua and hopes that the recommendations made by the Forum (FOSIECON) and other well meaning Nigerians and corporate entities will help to improve, strengthen and sanctify the Electoral Process and the democratic system in Nigeria;
8. the Forum observed that some States of the Federation resorted to the appointment of Caretaker Committees for the administration of Local Government Councils instead of conducting elections on time. This clearly contravenes Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution and we therefore appeal to the affected States to, as a matter of urgency, set the necessary machinery for the immediate conduct of Local Government Elections;

9. the Forum (FOSIECON) expresses her profound appreciation and gratitude to the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Theodore Ahamefule Orji and the good people of Abia State for successfully hosting the National Delegates Conference and the warm hospitality accorded delegates.

Amb. Prof. S.O. Emejuaiwe Barr. (Dr.) Nuhu Mohammed Jamo
National Chairman National Secretary