By Abubakar Abraham
As Kogi State prepares for its Local Government elections scheduled for October 17, 2026, the Chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), Hon. Mamman Eri, has called for strong collaboration among all electoral stakeholders to ensure the smooth and credible implementation of the new Electoral Act 2026.
Speaking at a high-level retreat held in Lokoja, Eri described the gathering as a “strategic convergence”, aimed at strengthening transparency, integrity, and public confidence in the state’s electoral process ahead of the polls.
The retreat, themed “A Panacea for Credible Electoral System,” brought together key stakeholders including political parties, election regulators, and civil society groups to deliberate on the provisions of the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026, which President Bola Tinubu signed into law in February 2026. The law introduces reforms designed to enhance the credibility of elections across Nigeria, including at the state and local levels.
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Eri emphasised that while the new legal framework presents opportunities for meaningful reform, it also imposes significant responsibilities on all actors in the electoral ecosystem.
“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,” the KOSIEC Chairman stated.
He urged participants to approach the deliberations with openness and a shared commitment to democratic values, noting that the retreat comes at a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
The Secretary of KOSIEC, Hon. Muhammad Usman, explained that the retreat was organized to familiarize stakeholders with the key provisions of the new electoral law and to guide their actions in the lead-up to the local government polls. He commended the Managing Consultant, Hon. Bamidele Suru, for his role in simplifying the commission’s work and facilitating effective implementation.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Kogi State, Mr. Iliyas Badanga, who represented the body at the event, praised KOSIEC for the initiative. He assured the commission of the full cooperation of political parties to ensure the success of the forthcoming local government elections.
Similarly, the Executive Director of Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Mr. Idris Miliki, described the retreat as an innovative step towards improving Nigeria’s electoral process.
He called on political parties to thoroughly acquaint themselves with the new law in their engagements with KOSIEC.
Other dignitaries present included KOSIEC Commissioners: Hon. Labaran Oyigebe, Hon. Umar Abdulmalik, Hon. Jamiu Kareem, Hon. Friday Achema, Hon. Segun Ogbonikan, and Hon. Jimoh Omeiza.
The retreat is expected to yield actionable strategies that will promote greater trust, accountability, and efficiency in Kogi State’s electoral system. With preparations for the October 2026 polls already gaining momentum, stakeholders expressed optimism that unified action on the implementation of the 2026 Electoral Act will lay a solid foundation for credible local government elections in the state.
