Tag: IPAC

  • Lagos LG election: IPAC faults LASIEC on release of guidelines

    Lagos LG election: IPAC faults LASIEC on release of guidelines

    The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos State has faulted the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) on the release of guidelines for the 2025 Local Government election in the state.

    IPAC, in a statement jointly issued by Mrs Temilade Akinade, its Chairperson and Mr George Ashiru, its Public Relations Officer, on Saturday, said the commission erred in the way it released the guidelines.

    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN)reports that LASIEC had on Friday announced July 12 as the date of the election in 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas(LCDAs)

    Reacting, IPAC, the umbrella body of all 19 registered political parties in the state, said LASIEC disregarded established communication protocols in the release of the guidelines.

    The council criticised the commission for not engaging political parties on important issues on the election, prior to releasing the guidelines.

    IPAC also accused LASEIC of shrouding so many things about the election in secrecy.

    The council said: “Critical questions and issues remain unresolved as regards the appropriate interpretation of the Supreme Court’s pronouncements on LG autonomy and how that will impact the 37 LCDAs established by the state government.

    “IPAC only recently learned that a revised LASIEC law empowering the agency to conduct executive elections into 57 LG/LCDAs was approved on Jan. 9 and signed into law on Jan. 10 by the governor.

    “This took IPAC by surprise. Such critical legislation should be in the public domain. The information was not made public on any platform and copies of the new law are  yet to be made available to IPAC for distribution to political parties”

    The council said the new LASIEC board, led by Retired Justice Mobolanle Okikiola-Ighinle, had not done much to foster a transparent relationship between the commission and IPAC or provide a platform for the council to make input on plans for the election.

    According to IPAC, the new board has only met with representatives of political parties once since January and the meeting was at the request of IPAC.

    IPAC said  LASEIC  should have called a series of meetings with political parties to properly explain the provisions of the new law as they affect the election.

    “LASIEC has a lot to learn from INEC in Lagos State about the need for continuous engagement, communication, and transparency to have a smooth, free and fair election.

    “The constant late release of guidelines close to when the electoral cycle begins and the lack of continued engagement with the political parties is an error.

    “This will make political parties and their members misinterpret the actions of LASIEC as driving in the direction of a predetermined outcome.

  • Nigeria needs stability, reforms — Abdulsalami, Anyim, IPAC, others

    Nigeria needs stability, reforms — Abdulsalami, Anyim, IPAC, others

    ABUJA – Some eminent political leaders have stressed the urgent need for political stability, adherence to party ideologies, and electoral reforms to strengthen the country’s democracy.

    They warned that without these measures, the nation risks ongoing instability, weak governance, and developmental setbacks.

    This call to action was made at the launch of the book ‘100 Years of Political Parties Evolution in Nigeria (1923 – 2023)’, which took place in Abuja on Thursday.

    The event was organised by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and featured notable speakers, including former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar (represented by General Abdulrasheed M. Aliyu), former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu (represented by Mr. Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner for Election and Party Monitoring).

    General Abdulsalami Abubakar commended Nigeria’s democratic resilience, noting that despite past military interventions, the country has sustained 26 years of uninterrupted democracy—the longest in its history.

    He emphasised that democracy must be continuously nurtured and strengthened, urging political parties to focus on internal democracy, ideology-based governance, and strict adherence to party manifestos.

    He also called for ongoing electoral and constitutional reforms to address systemic flaws and ensure credible elections.

    He stated, “Despite military interventions, democracy has come to stay in Nigeria. There is no substitute for the government of the people, by the people, and for the people, which democracy represents, as sovereignty resides with the people. Our democracy has been tested and shaken by reactionary forces and has survived. This is a testament to citizens’ belief in and resilience towards representative governance. It is imperative to explore political parties’ development priorities to consolidate the nation’s democracy and create an environment conducive to successful elections and political stability, in line with the IPAC mandate.”

    Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim stressed that political instability remains one of Nigeria’s most significant challenges.

    He argued that successive governments have failed to transform Nigeria into a stable nation-state, leading to weak governance and insecurity. Anyim warned that unless leaders address mutual suspicion among ethnic and political groups, Nigeria’s progress and stability will continue to be jeopardised.

    Anyim urged political actors to take responsibility for uniting the country and fostering national cohesion.

    He remarked, “By documenting Nigeria’s experiences in political party formation, evolution, and management over the last 100 years, IPAC has demonstrated leadership and commitment to finding solutions to the persistent problem of political instability in our beloved country. An unstable polity weakens the authority of government and constrains its ability to guarantee security and development. Without overcoming mutual suspicion, every other factor affecting our progress and stability stems from our inability to effectively manage our plural composition. The responsibility is ours, and I dare say, the burden is on this generation. If I may borrow the words of Gen. Yakubu Gowon: ‘This is a task that must be done.’”

    Professor Mahmood Yakubu highlighted the pivotal role of political parties in strengthening democracy, stating that they are foundational to any electoral process.

    He urged these parties to embrace internal democracy, transparency, and reforms that promote free and fair elections.

    He also called on IPAC to continue its advocacy for democratic consolidation and serve as a bridge between political parties and electoral institutions.

    Yakubu said, “Internal party democracy is the foundation upon which credible general elections are built. We recognise that electoral reforms are not the sole responsibility of INEC or the National Assembly. I encourage IPAC to continue its advocacy, strengthen its role as a bridge between political parties and the electoral process, and remain a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s democratic journey.”

    IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, described the book as a landmark documentation of Nigeria’s political history.

    He noted that it serves as a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of political parties and their impact on governance. He also announced an upcoming international documentary titled ‘UNBROKEN: TWO AND A HALF DECADES’, which will commemorate 25 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria.

    The documentary is set to be broadcast on major local and international platforms, including CNN, Al Jazeera, Netflix, and Amazon Prime, to showcase Nigeria’s democratic journey to a global audience.

    “This is the era of the screen revolution; audio-visual documentation is now trending,” he added.

    The speakers collectively emphasised that Nigeria’s democracy is at a critical juncture and requires urgent reforms. They called for strong institutions, adherence to democratic values, and a commitment to governance that prioritises national interests over personal or sectional gains.

    IPAC urged Nigerians to support efforts aimed at deepening democracy through education, strategic communication, and active participation in political and electoral processes. The council stressed that preserving Nigeria’s political history and learning from past challenges will help build a more stable and prosperous democracy for future generations.