October 7, 2026.
By Modupe Adegboro,
Information Officer,
KOSIEC.
The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) has called on political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to work collectively towards ensuring peaceful, credible, transparent and inclusive Local Government Elections scheduled to hold across the state on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, made the call on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at a Critical Stakeholders’ Meeting held ahead of the elections.
Eri, who described the meeting as an important opportunity to strengthen coordination among stakeholders, said the success of the elections was a collective responsibility and not that of the Electoral Commission alone.
He said the Commission was at the final and most critical stage of its preparations and would continue to provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates, while ensuring compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law 2025 and relevant electoral guidelines.
According to him, the elections will cover 21 Local Government Areas, 239 Wards and 3,508 polling units across the state, making effective coordination among the Commission, political parties, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, the media and the electorate essential.
The KOSIEC Chairman urged political parties and candidates to compete responsibly, educate their supporters and avoid actions or statements capable of creating tension.
He also appealed to security and law enforcement agencies to maintain professionalism, impartiality and respect for the rights of citizens throughout the electoral process.
“An election lasts for one day, but Kogi State belongs to all of us every day. Whatever the outcome, we must continue to live together as brothers and sisters,” he said.
Eri further assured that KOSIEC was committed to ensuring the participation of persons with disabilities, women, young people and other vulnerable groups, stressing that no eligible voter should be excluded from the electoral process because of discrimination, intimidation or unnecessary barriers.
He called on the media to provide accurate, balanced and responsible information, warning that misinformation and inflammatory reporting could create unnecessary tension.
The Chairman urged stakeholders to use the meeting to identify outstanding challenges, clarify areas of misunderstanding and find solutions ahead of Election Day.
In his remarks, the representative of the Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, High Chief Joseph Osagbemi, called for peaceful election in all the local government areas of the state and urged political parties to resolve disagreements peacefully.
He also called on the people of Kogi State to participate actively in the October 17 elections and cautioned against accepting or promoting the notion that there were already prepared results, while advocating peaceful follow-up to the electoral process.
The Director of Equity Promotions, a consultant to the Commission, Barrister Bamidele Suru, commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for what he described as support for the independence of KOSIEC as provided by law.
Suru noted that the Commission’s financial independence had enabled it to conduct its affairs without having to beg the state government for funding of elections, adding that there had been no intimidation or coercion on electoral matters.
The representative of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr. Ibrahim Itodo, commended KOSIEC for its painstaking efforts throughout the electoral process. He urged political parties to play by the rules, promote inclusive politics and explore peaceful and lawful means of resolving post-election disagreements.
The Chairman, Forum of Electoral Officers in the State, Comrade Mamud Brown, also commended KOSIEC for its training programmes and interactions with Electoral Officers, which he said had broadened their knowledge and reduced the challenges associated with their duties. He added that the training had been extended to the grassroots.
Similarly, the representative of Kogi NGO Network (KONGONET) Hamza Aliyu, observed that local government elections in the state had continued to improve.
He commended the state government for its support to the Commission and called for continuity in the development of the electoral institution.
Aliyu urged stakeholders to take the messages from the meeting to their respective communities and called for increased sensitisation before Election Day.
The Executive Director of Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) Mr. Idris Miliki Abdul, urged political parties to intensify voter awareness and mobilisation and engage credible representatives to monitor and participate in the electoral process.
He advised that any disputes arising from the elections should be addressed through the appropriate legal and electoral channels.
Other stakeholders at the meeting commended KOSIEC under the leadership of Hon. Mamman Nda Eri for its preparations for the elections and expressed confidence in the Commission’s readiness. They urged the people of the state to come out peacefully and exercise their civic rights on Election Day.
In his vote of thanks, the Secretary of the Commission, Hon. Muhammad Usman, appreciated the stakeholders for honouring the invitation and contributing to the success of the forthcoming elections.
He urged participants to take the message of peaceful participation back to their various communities and called on all stakeholders to support the Commission in delivering peaceful elections.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to conducting the October 17, 2026 Local Government Elections in an atmosphere of peace, security, dignity and confidence, urging all stakeholders to put the interest, peace and unity of Kogi State
