politics

Plateau State to host National Electoral Conference

Published

1 year ago

May 14, 2025

Plateau State is set to host the 13th National Delegates Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria, focusing on the challenges and opportunities of local government elections

Plateau State is gearing up to host the 13th National Delegates Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria.

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The Chairman of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, Mr Plangji Cishak, who disclosed this at a press conference in Jos on Tuesday, said the national delegates conference, scheduled to take place from May 21st to 23rd, 2025, in Jos, will bring together delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to him, the theme of the conference is “Local Government Elections in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.”

“It is a theme that calls for sober reflection, informed debate, and actionable outcomes.

“The event is expected to attract no fewer than 304 delegates drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

These will include Chairmen, Commissioners, and Secretaries of various State Independent Electoral Commissions.

The opening ceremony will be held under the distinguished chairmanship of His Majesty, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, whose leadership continues to serve as a source of institutional wisdom and moral direction.

It is a theme that calls for sober reflection, informed debate, and actionable outcomes.

“In addition, we are expecting three serving governors, representatives of the Forum of Nigerian House of Assembly Speakers, and members of the National Assembly—particularly the Senate and House Committees on Electoral Matters.

Their participation underscores the national significance of the issues on the table and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening local governance through credible elections,” the chairman said.

Cishak expressed confidence in Plateau’s preparedness to host the event. He highlighted PLASIEC’s efforts to strengthen its institutional capacity, including investing in infrastructure and equipping its offices.

“The commission has also prioritised staff development through targeted training programs and workshops,” he stated.

The chairman urged the media to give the conference prominent coverage, emphasizing their critical role in documenting history, challenging falsehoods, and amplifying facts.

He expressed gratitude for the partnership between PLASIEC and the media, which he believes has contributed to the credibility of electoral processes in the state.

“I thank you once again for your continued partnership and service to our democracy. Plateau is ready to host the nation, and with your support, we are confident that this conference will be a turning point in our collective quest to deepen grassroots democracy in Nigeria,” he added.

Our Correspondent reports that the planned conference aims to provide a platform for learning, self-assessment, and shared growth among electoral commissions.

It will offer an opportunity for peer review, examination of challenges, and sharing of innovations to strengthen local governance through credible elections.

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politics

2027: Political Parties Mobilise Thousands of Polling Agents

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2026

Mariam Balogun

Political parties in Nigeria have intensified the recruitment and training of polling agents ahead of the 2027 general elections, as preparations shift towards securing representation at polling units across the country.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), are putting structures in place to monitor voting, counting and collation of results.

The development comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) introduces an electronic platform for political parties to nominate and submit the details of their polling agents, replacing the manual submission system used in previous elections.

Nigeria has 176,846 polling units, making nationwide representation a major logistical undertaking for parties seeking to monitor the electoral process from the grassroots.

The APC has claimed that it has recruited 4,421,150 polling agents across the country’s polling units.

Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, disclosed the figure while speaking at a two-day national retreat of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Abuja.

The ruling party said its mobilisation was part of efforts to strengthen its grassroots presence and ensure adequate representation during the elections.

The opposition parties are also developing their own strategies, with some focusing on recruiting committed members, screening nominees and training officials responsible for submitting agents’ details to INEC.

PDP trains officials, warns against double agents

The PDP has begun training its state executives and officials responsible for uploading the details of its polling agents to INEC’s online portal.

At a capacity-building session in Abuja on November 2, the party’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, urged participants to take the exercise seriously and extend the training to officials at the local government and ward levels.

He stressed that election monitoring began at polling units, where party agents played an important role in protecting candidates’ interests.

The party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, also cautioned state executives against engaging individuals who were not committed members of the party.

Bature warned against the recruitment of so-called double agents who could abandon their responsibilities or work for rival parties during elections.

He urged party officials to properly screen nominees and prioritise loyal members who had demonstrated commitment to the organisation.

The PDP subsequently directed its state secretaries to submit their agents’ details to the national leadership by December 2, ahead of the commission’s submission deadline.

Labour Party draws lessons from 2023 election

The Labour Party has also commenced the recruitment, screening and notification of polling agents as part of its preparations for the 2027 elections.

Its Interim National Chairman, Nenadi Usman, said the party was drawing lessons from the 2023 general elections, particularly the difficulties it encountered in obtaining comprehensive coverage of polling units.