Gov Mutfwang Sounds Alarm: Why Abolishing SIECs Would Be A Huge Mistake

The Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has insisted that State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) should not be abolished. He emphasized that the challenges affecting local government elections must be properly addressed to ensure transparency and reflect the true will of the voters.

Governor Mutfwang made these remarks on Wednesday at the 13th National Delegates Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions (FOSIECOM) held in Jos.

He expressed his firm belief that abolishing SIECs is not the answer to the issues surrounding local government elections. Instead, he advocated for their reform, strengthening, and protection to make them genuinely independent and effective bodies.

As a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governor, Mutfwang highlighted that credible elections at the grassroots level are essential for meaningful development. He pointed out that Nigeria’s core problem lies in ineffective leadership and stressed the need for voters to be intentional when choosing their leaders.

“Credible local elections form the foundation for real progress. Leaders elected at the grassroots must be God-fearing, people-centered, and dedicated to service, not products of manipulated processes,” he said.

He further noted, “The root of our national challenges—whether in governance, elections, or institutional integrity—boils down to leadership. We must consciously promote leaders with conscience, courage, and genuine passion for the people. It is time to stop recycling politicians who treat politics as a personal business and instead elevate those who view it as a sacred trust.”

Mutfwang warned that Nigeria may fail to reach its potential until credible leadership is prioritized. He called for the protection of SIECs and urged that they be granted autonomy to reduce political interference.

“When we get leadership right, the positive impact will be seen in every institution, sector, and home. However, when elections lack credibility and fairness despite huge expenditures, we waste not just resources but public trust,” he said.

“That is why I stand firmly to say: let us safeguard SIECs. Let us empower them with autonomy, adequate resources, and support so they serve democracy rather than political interests.”

He also praised FOSIECOM’s leadership for providing a platform for these vital discussions, adding, “Together, we can build a system where democracy thrives from the grassroots all the way to the top.”

Governor Mutfwang further acknowledged his counterpart, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who also advocated for autonomy within the local government electoral system during the conference.

Governor Sule pointed out that the main threat to SIECs’ effectiveness is not just lack of funding but “political interference.”