Katsina State has hosted the 14th National Delegates Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON), with the National Chairman of the forum, Mamman Ndah Eri, calling on State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to strengthen electoral administration through innovation, transparency and strict adherence to the rule of law.
Hon. Ndah Eri said the conference, themed “Myth of Voter Apathy in Nigeria’s Elections,” provides a platform for electoral managers to examine emerging challenges, exchange experiences, strengthen institutional capacity and develop practical strategies for improving elections across the country.
READ ALSO: NPF Secures Conviction in Katsina Arms Trafficking Case
The conference, hosted by the Katsina State Government, brought together officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, development partners, chairmen and commissioners of State Independent Electoral Commissions, as well as other electoral stakeholders from across the federation.
Commending Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for hosting the conference, Ndah Eri described Katsina as a worthy host because of the administration’s commitment to democratic governance, institutional development and quality public service.
He expressed confidence that the resolutions of the conference would further strengthen democratic institutions and improve electoral administration nationwide.
Declaring the conference open on behalf of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, the Katsina State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Mannir Ayyuba Sullubawa, urged electoral stakeholders to evolve practical strategies for addressing voter apathy and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The governor said transparent, accountable and credible electoral institutions remain fundamental to democratic consolidation, stressing that State Independent Electoral Commissions play a strategic role in conducting local government elections that genuinely reflect the will of the people.
He also commended FOSIECON for sustaining a platform that promotes dialogue, peer learning and collaboration among electoral management bodies across the federation.
Governor Radda further applauded the Katsina State Independent Electoral Commission (KTSIEC) for successfully conducting the state’s local government elections without any election petition or court challenge, describing the outcome as a demonstration of the state’s commitment to peaceful, transparent and inclusive elections.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Katsina State Independent Electoral Commission (KTSIEC) and National Public Secretary of FOSIECON, Alhaji Lawal Alhassan Faskari, said hosting the conference underscored Katsina’s commitment to strengthening democratic governance and electoral integrity.
Faskari noted that the conference would enable State Independent Electoral Commissions to review their operations, share best practices, improve electoral administration and identify practical solutions to the persistent challenge of voter apathy in Nigeria.
He expressed optimism that the deliberations would produce recommendations capable of enhancing the credibility, transparency and inclusiveness of elections at the grassroots level.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Occasion and former Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Tukur Ahmed Jikamshi, described FOSIECON as a strategic institution in Nigeria’s democratic architecture, noting that the forum continues to play a vital role in promoting constitutional democracy through credible local government elections.
, with the National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Ndah Eri, calling on State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to strengthen electoral administration through innovation, transparency and strict adherence to the rule of law.){kind=link}