‘Strengthening democratic governance begins with credible electoral process’

Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, has identified strengthening of democratic governance as a way to achieving a credible, free, fair and acceptable electoral process.

Lalong argued that the concept of good democratic principles must be seen in the electoral process, if the quality of democratic representation is to be enhanced in the country.

He disclosed this at the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON) training workshop, in Jos, at the weekend.

Represented by his deputy, Lalong commended the initiative of the European Union and all its democratic governance support structures in identifying and putting in place a training agenda that will strengthen the electoral process and the democratic governance structure, across all tiers of electoral representation in Nigeria.

“Looking at the schedule of training activities, which outlines various topical issues for discourse touching on leadership in electoral process, I have no doubt in my mind that the objective of the training will be achieved,” he said.

In his remarks, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, said the occasion was one of the steps in implementing the financing agreement for the project, which was signed on June 5, 2017, adding that the training would contribute to strengthening
democratic institutions and the electoral process in Nigeria to ensure fair and credible elections.

Udoma, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Olukayode Adeniran, said: “This training also seeks to support FOISECON, in order to build their capacity to conduct free and credible elections at the local council level and how well-implemented electoral process can bring about peaceful change of power and improve their leadership skills and take on board means for preventing and or mitigating the escalation of electoral violence and conflict throughout the respective electoral cycle.”