TARABA SETS STAGE FOR GRASSROOTS RENEWAL: LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS SLATED FOR NOVEMBER 15
By Gloria David
In a decisive move that sets the stage for renewed grassroots governance, the Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC) has announced that local government council elections will be held across the state on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
The announcement was made by the Chairman of TSIEC, Dr. Philip Duwe, during a crucial stakeholders’ engagement held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Jalingo on Thursday. The meeting drew together a cross-section of political party leaders, civil society organizations, security agencies, and members of the press — a coalition that underlines the importance of inclusiveness and transparency in the coming electoral process.
Dr. Duwe used the occasion to issue the official Notice of Election, formally kicking off the timeline for pre-election activities. He called on all civil servants with political ambitions to resign from service no later than 90 days before the polls, in accordance with provisions of the state electoral laws.
But the commission’s chairman went beyond logistics. He issued a passionate call for internal democracy within political parties, urging party leaders to embrace transparency and fairness in their primary elections.
“Political parties must conduct transparent primaries. It is the right of the people to choose, and no one should impose candidates on them,” Duwe said, drawing applause from stakeholders in attendance.
In what many observers described as a pointed endorsement, Duwe also lauded Governor Agbu Kefas for his “bold reforms” aimed at repositioning the local government system in Taraba State. He credited the governor’s recent efforts as “timely and crucial” for deepening democracy and strengthening governance at the grassroots level.
Governor Kefas, who recently marked two years in office, has made local government reforms a major pillar of his administration. From increased fiscal transparency to leadership training for local council officials, his agenda seeks to empower communities and ensure they benefit from democratic dividends.
The upcoming local government elections will be the second which under Governor Kefas’s administration, and they are widely seen as a litmus test for both the TSIEC’s credibility and the state government’s commitment to democratic values.
Political observers say the timing of the election is significant. Coming two years before the next general election cycle, the November 15 vote could serve as a bellwether for the mood of the electorate, particularly in rural areas where local councils remain the primary interface between citizens and government.
As the countdown begins, all eyes will be on the political parties to conduct credible primaries and on TSIEC to deliver a free, fair, and peaceful election. But perhaps more importantly, the people of Taraba will be watching closely, eager to reclaim their voice in the affairs of their local communities.
