State Independent Electoral Commissions seek financial independence, write NASS

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) has submitted a memorandum to the National Assembly’s Committee on Constitutional amendment, seeking financial independence for the body.
The National Chairman of FOSIECON, Chief Jossy Chibundu Eze disclosed this on Wednesday when members of the forum paid a courtesy visit on the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu in Abuja.
The Forum’s Chairman, Chief Eze expressed the firm belief that FOSIECON’s financial independence is not only achievable but a sine qua non for virile Local Government elections in Nigeria.
His words, “We strongly believe that our financial independence is not only achievable but a sine qua non for virile Local Government elections in Nigeria.
“FOSIECON has again recently submitted a memorandum to the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional amendment.
“We solicit INEC to throw its weight behind our quest for true independence”, he said.
Chief Eze, while recalling that the Forum and INEC have a long-standing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which has propelled their relationship, added, “However, it is our ardent belief that the MOU needs urgent review to make it more functional and effective in the face of changing electoral needs, challenges and expectations”.
Chief Eze, among other things, pushed for the reconstitution of the INEC/ FOSIECON Committee, development of Strategic Work Plan and support for True Independence of SIECS.
According to him, “There is the dire need to develop a new strategic work plan for support to SIECS. The last plan was for the period of 2019-2023. As EMB, we cannot afford not to effectively operate with a strategic plan that captures current and emerging issues in elections.
“We hereby register our appreciation of INEC’s support to the struggle of SIECS, towards financial independence”, he said.