The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to exercise caution and uphold due process over the handling of the leadership situation within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
IPAC, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Egbeola Wale Martins, warned that recent actions by INEC regarding the ADC leadership dispute could trigger avoidable instability if not carefully managed.
Martins said: “IPAC acknowledges that periodic updates of the voter register are vital to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. However, the timing of the proposed Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise raises serious concerns.
“At a period when critical stakeholders, especially political parties are already burdened with numerous obligations arising from the new Electoral Act, including ongoing nationwide membership registration with mandatory NIN verification within a limited timeframe, party primaries, as well as Verification and Compliance Assessments to be carried out by INEC.
“Introducing an additional nationwide exercise without broad consultation, particularly with political parties and adequate preparation risks disenfranchising millions of eligible voters.
“We therefore urge INEC to reconsider the timing of the exercise to prevent an overly congested electoral environment that may ultimately exclude, rather than include, more citizens in the democratic process.”
The reported removal of the names of Distinguished Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from INEC’s official portal appears premature and capable of creating avoidable instability within the polity.
It specifically expressed concern over the reported removal of the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from INEC’s official portal, describing the move as premature.
The council condemned the persistent killings in Plateau State, describing the violence as senseless and a grave threat to national unity and security.
The council called on the Federal Government and security agencies to take urgent and decisive action to end the attacks, protect lives and property, and restore peace to affected communities.
Martins added, “It is imperative that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, along with their sponsors, are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive in an environment where electoral processes are transparent, political institutions are stable and citizens feel safe and protected.”