Governor Sule Blames Control, Interference, Underfunding for SIEC’s Poor Credibility

By Kure Tashilane

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi A. Sule, has identified political control, interference, and underfunding as major obstacles hindering State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) from conducting credible local government elections in Nigeria.  

Speaking at the 13th National Delegates’ Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions (FOSIECON) in Jos, Governor Sule stated that SIECs are often distrusted and undermined due to these challenges.  

“They are misunderstood, disregarded, and even hated by some,” he said. “But the real issues are undue control, interference, and lack of funding. Until these are addressed, we’re only deceiving ourselves.”  

Sule shared his own experience, recalling how party stakeholders resisted his initial push for free and fair local elections in Nasarawa. “I was told, ‘This is how it’s done everywhere—why be different?’ The problem is about control, not development.”  

He dismissed claims that governors withhold local government funds, stating that most councils struggle to meet basic obligations without state support. However, he emphasized that control stifles democracy and progress.  

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, also present, argued that leadership quality, not just autonomy, determines efficiency. “Nations fail when leaders lack conscience,” he said, advocating for reforms in leadership recruitment rather than focusing solely on electoral reforms.  

Guest speaker Prof. Samuel Egwu called for civic education and democratic values to strengthen SIECs, urging future elections to be free from ruling party influence.  

FOSIECON Chairman Jossy Chibundu Eze lamented that SIECs are often unfairly criticized without understanding their constraints, stressing that caretaker committees violate constitutional provisions. 

The conference highlighted the need for systemic reforms to restore trust in local government elections.