KOSIEC Affirms Eligibility Of All Registered Parties For Kogi LG Polls

The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) says all political parties duly registered and recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are eligible to participate in the forthcoming local government elections in the state, provided they comply with the commission’s guidelines and timelines.

The Chairman of KOSIEC, Mamman Nda Eri, stated this in Lokoja during a news briefing on the recognition of political parties for the Saturday, October 17, 2026 local government elections.

Mr Eri stressed that the commission has no intention or policy to exclude any legally registered political party from the electoral process, noting that KOSIEC’s procedures are transparent, inclusive, and firmly rooted in the law.

He urged political parties to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines, engage constructively with the commission, and conduct their activities responsibly in the interest of credible elections.

Explaining the commission’s position on party participation, the KOSIEC chairman disclosed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) failed to produce valid primary election results within the statutorily recognised timeline.

He also noted that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) did not conduct legitimate primaries, in violation of Sections 82 and
83 of the Electoral Act 2022.

He further said that out of the nineteen registered political parties, only twelve met the stipulated compliance requirements.

Mr Eri reaffirmed the commission’s resolve not to treat any form of non-compliance with electoral laws as a minor issue, emphasizing that strict adherence to the law was essential for building a strong and credible democratic structure at the local government level.

Ajifa Ainoko, Edited By Grace Namiji