The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has expressed concerns over recent political and security developments in the country, urging caution and immediate action from relevant authorities.
In a press release issued in Abuja yesterday by IPAC’s national publicity secretary, Egbeola Wale Martins, the council painted to three major issues: the proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise by INEC, the handling of the leadership dispute within the ADC and the persistent killings in Plateau State.
IPAC recognised that periodic updates of the voter register were essential for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. However, it warned that the timing of the proposed voter revalidation exercise could pose serious challenges.
According to the council, political parties are already grappling with multiple obligations under the Electoral Act, including nationwide membership registration with mandatory National Identification Number (NIN) verification, party primaries and verification and compliance assessments by INEC.
It warned that introducing an additional nationwide exercise without wide consultation and adequate preparation could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters.
The statement said, “We urge INEC to reconsider the timing of the exercise to avoid an overly congested electoral environment that may exclude, rather than include, more citizens in the democratic process.”
On the ADC leadership crisis, IPAC called on INEC to tread with caution in handling internal party disputes. The council said contested leadership structures do not equate to a vacuum and warned against actions that could destabilize the political system.
It said removal of names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from INEC’s official portal was too hasten describing the move as premature and potentially harmful.
IPAC warned that such actions, if not properly managed, could set a troubling precedent and undermine public confidence in the neutrality of the electoral body. It urged INEC to act with restraint, fairness, and strict adherence to due process in resolving intra-party conflicts.
