The Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has concluded preparations to host the 13th Annual National Delegates Conference of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) in Jos.
Chairman of PLASIEC, Plangji Daniel Cishak, made the announcement while briefing journalists at the commission’s office on Tuesday. He said the 3-day event is scheduled to hold from May 21 to 23, 2025, in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Cichak noted, “It is with great pleasure that I officially announce that Plateau State will host the 13th National Delegates Conference of the Forum of Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON).
“This 3-day event is scheduled to take place from the 21st to the 23rd of May 2025, right here in Jos, Plateau State, the Home of Peace and Tourism. The theme for this year’s conference is both timely and compelling: “Local Government Elections in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities.” It is a theme that calls for sober reflection, informed debate, and actionable outcomes.
“We expect to welcome 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 (SIECs). 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.
Cichak added, “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…
“More importantly, we have prioritized the development of our human capital—organizing targeted training programmes, workshops, aimed at equipping our staff with the requisite knowledge and skills for credible electoral administration. These measures are grounded in our belief that sustainable electoral reform begins from within,” Cichak said.
Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the New Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, has received a group of former All Progressives Congress (APC) members who joined the NDC in Kano.
According to a Facebook post by Saifullahi Hassan, Kwankwaso’s media aide, the Vice Presidential candidate received the defectors at his residence in Kano on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
The delegation included former Kumbotso Local Government Chairman, Sagiru Abdulkadir Panshekara; Mustapha Beci; Garba Tanko Danmaliki; Shehu Kura, a former APC chairman in Kumbotso; Ibrahim Mai Adashi, a former executive secretary of education in the local government; and Mai Nasibi Kumbotso.
“During the visit, the defectors reaffirmed their support for the Kwankwasiyya Movement and their commitment to the ideals of the NDC,” he said.
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On the same day, Hassan posted a different video describing it as another wave of defections to the party, with former APC leaders from Kumbotso joining Kwankwaso’s political camp.