Thursday 14 August, 2025.
The newly appointed members of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) were on Thursday inaugurated in Lokoja, with a charge to put God and the state first in the discharge of their duties.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Ayoade Arike, who represented Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo, urged the Commissioners to leave behind a worthy legacy. She reminded them that the Ododo administration’s success is anchored on prioritizing God and the interest of Kogi State.
“Always consider what people will say about you after you have left office,” she advised.
Responding on behalf of the Commission, the Chairman, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, who also serves as the National Chairman of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) expressed profound gratitude to the governor and the entire state government for the confidence reposed in them.
He assured the people of Kogi State that the Commission will uphold the principles of integrity, transparency, and fairness in the discharge of its duties.
“With God’s help and the cooperation of all stakeholders, we will work tirelessly to strengthen the electoral process, ensure free, fair, and credible elections, and safeguard the democratic ideals of our state,” he pledged.
The newly sworn-in members had earlier been screened at the Kogi State House of Assembly on Friday, August 1, 2025.
Hon. Mamman Nda Eri represents the Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency as Chairman, while other Commissioners are:
Labaran Yahaya Oyigebe, representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Federal Constituency
Umar Makun Abdulmalik, representing Lokoja/Koto Federal Constituency
Jamiu Abdulkareem, representing Ajaokuta Federal Constituency
Achema Friday, representing Idah/Ofu/Ibaji/Igalamela-Odolu Federal Constituency
Segun Ogbonikan, representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu/Yagba Federal Constituency
Jimoh Ozigizigi Omeiza, representing Adavi/Okehi Federal Constituency
Additionally, Muhammed Usman, representing Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency has been appointed as Secretary to the Commission.
While some Commissioners, including the Chairman, are returning for a second term, those representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu/Yagba, Okene/Ogori-Magongo, and Adavi/Okehi will be serving their first terms.
Modupe Adegboro,
PRO, KOSIEC.
