Politics
Governors Mutfwang, Sule, reject move to scrap state electoral commissions

Governors Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State and Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State have voiced strong opposition to the proposed dissolution of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) as part of ongoing constitutional amendments at the National Assembly.
The governors made their positions known on Wednesday at the 13th Annual Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions (FOSIECON), held at Crispan Hotel, Jos, Plateau State.
Governor Mutfwang firmly rejected the notion that scrapping SIECs is a solution to electoral challenges.
He called instead for meaningful reforms, arguing that the commissions should be strengthened, not discarded.
“I completely disagree with the idea that state electoral commissions should be scrapped,” he said.
“The solution isn’t to throw the whole system away but to fix what’s broken. Collaboration between INEC and the SIECs must also improve. Voter data belongs to Nigerians, not just INEC—states should have access to it without undue restrictions.”
He also advocated for flexibility in managing local governments, saying: “Section 7 of our Constitution mandates democratic elections at the local government level. That’s good. But states should have the liberty to run their local governments in ways that suit them best. Sometimes, the push for autonomy distracts us from the real issue: efficiency.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Governor Sule argued that scrapping SIECs would not solve electoral problems but merely shift them.
“I strongly disagree with the move to abolish SIECs,” he said. “The issues we see at the state level also exist at the federal level. Eliminating SIECs won’t solve anything—it just shifts the problem. What we need is reform, strong systems, and leaders with integrity.”
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) also weighed in on the issue. Reverend Christopher Damcher, Chairman of the Plateau State Civil Society Organizations Forum, commended the performance of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), describing its last local government election as free, fair, and credible.
In a keynote address titled “Local Government Elections in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities,” Professor Samuel Egwu criticized the tendency to demonize state commissions while glorifying INEC, arguing that both levels should be judged by the same standards.
Earlier, Barrister Jossy Eze, National Chairman of FOSIECON, welcomed delegates and stakeholders, lamenting that SIECs remain among the most misunderstood and criticized government institutions. He expressed hope that the conference would spark robust dialogue and practical solutions.
The conference brought together electoral stakeholders, civil society groups, and political leaders to reflect on the future of grassroots democracy in Nigeria amid growing calls for electoral reform.
Politics
Tinubu reforms are in the right direction but social security nets to helo people cushion the effect of his reforms are needed- Okonjo-Iweala

President Bola Tinubu had a closed door meeting the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, at the Aso Villa in Abuja today August 14.
Tinubu and Okonjo-Iweala were in a closed-door meeting at the nation’s political capital where they discussed trade matters as they relate to national, continental and global relevance.
After the meeting, the former Minister of Finance spoke to State House correspondents. She stated that the President’s economic policies are working and that it has been able to stabilize the economy.
In her words
‘’We (The WTO) think the President and his team have worked hard to stabilize the economy and you cannot improve on an economy unless it is stable so he has to be given the credit for stability of the economy. The reforms have been in the right direction, What is needed next is growth. We now need to grow the economy and we need to put in social safety net so that people who are feeling the pinch of the reforms can also have some support to be able to weather the hardship’’
Politics
Kebbi ADC suspends state chairman, two others

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kebbi State has suspended its chairman, Engineer Sufiyanu Bala, along with his deputy, Junaidu Muhammed Mudi, and the state secretary, Hauwa Muhammed.
Speaking to journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the party’s publicity secretary, Jamilu Muhammed, accused the Sufiyanu-led leadership of making decisions without consulting other executives.
“We address you today to announce the immediate suspension of Sufiyanu Bala, his deputy, and secretary Hauwa from the party with immediate effect,” he said.
Muhammed alleged that the suspended leaders allowed Abuja nomadic politicians to dominate the party, a move strongly opposed by the founding members.
“We will not, after tailoring the party to its present status, allow Abuja politicians to dominate it,” he added.
According to him, the decision came after an extraordinary meeting of loyal ADC members and stakeholders who have been with the party long before the coming of Abuja impostors.
The party has appointed Abdulrazaq Abubakar Isah Iko as interim chairman and Adamu Aliyu as acting secretary until a new congress is held.
The Kebbi ADC warned the suspended members to stop identifying themselves as party officials or carrying out activities in the party’s name.
It also condemned political gatherings organised by the suspended officials, saying such actions violate the Electoral Act.
Politics
Ekwunife blasts Soludo, says government House not his birthright

Deputy Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, Senator Uche Ekwunife has warned Governor Soludo to get ready to hand over power, insisting that the government house is not his birthright.
Senator Ekwunife stated this while addressing party faithful in her country home in Nri, Anaocha Council area of the state where she described the administration of the governor as an abysmal failure in all round development and security of lives and property.
“Soludo and I are not at war, what is happening is that what he is currently holding is what we want. The constitution of Nigeria made it four year term for every elected governor. And if you do well, you will be re-elected but in the case of Soludo, it is obvious he has lost touch with governance and that is why APC has presented veritable platform for the people of the state to reclaim their state from APGA misrule.
“The governor, rather than concentrate on positive governance, has been going about crying like a baby, calling my name up and down and we are not losing sleep over his rantings. He has not done well to deserve a second term and that is why the state seems to be on autopilot for four years.
“I make bold to say that Soludo was smart to have hurriedly parked into the uncompleted Anambra State government House, which goes to tell his state of panicky mood of losing this election which is going to happen. But he has forgotten that government is a continuum and when one stops, another person takes over and that is why we presented a veritable alternative to Ndi Anambra.”
Also speaking during the programme, the former Minister of State, Science and Technology, Henry Ikoh described the governorship election in the state as very vital in order to connect the state to the mainstream politics of Nigeria and called for total and massive votes for the party and her candidates, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and Senator Uche Ekwunife.
Ikoh said the time for the party to clinch Anambra State has come with the massive mobilization of stakeholders across the state and county in general to support the party and ensure smooth victory in the November 8 governorship election.
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