Tag: IPAC

Following the Appeal Court ruling reinstating Osun State local government executives sacked by Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has been urged to boycott the February 22, 2025, local government election.

Governor Adeleke had dismissed All Progressives Congress (APC) council bosses elected in 2022 after a Federal High Court declared the election illegal. Consequently, the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) scheduled a fresh election for February 22.

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However, last Monday, the Court of Appeal unanimously overturned the lower court’s ruling, restoring the APC council executives to their positions.

In response, a socio-political group, Osun Youths Progressives (O-SPY), insisted that the council positions remain legally occupied, making the planned election unnecessary and illegal.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, the group’s coordinator, Hon. Tunmise Ajiboye, stated: “The constitution is clear that the government must obey the court verdict before taking any further action. Osun State was created by law, and it must uphold the law first before proceeding with any new election.”

“We want to urge IPAC to boycott the upcoming illegal LG election. It will be pure contempt and affront on the judiciary. Leave the illegality to OSIEC.”

The National Chairman of the Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), Alhaji Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, has accused the nation’s judiciary of interfering in the internal affairs of political parties. 

He urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to take decisive action against corrupt judges to restore public confidence in the judicial system.

Dantalle also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commence preparations for the 2027 general elections without delay. 

He emphasised the need for early planning to ensure the Commission meets all necessary requirements and fulfills the expectations of Nigerians.

Speaking at the first consultative meeting with INEC, Dantalle stressed that the judiciary should remain the last hope of aggrieved citizens. 

He highlighted the importance of upholding justice impartially, maintaining that the judiciary, as the temple of justice, must operate without fear or favor.

He said: “Sadly, some judicial officers have turned the court to a bazaar. We call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to wield the big stick on corrupt Justices especially the ones that meddle in the internal affairs of political parties to serve as a deterrent to others”. 

He said IPAC is aware of the leadership disputes in some political parties that tend to overheat the polity and appealed to the affected parties to avail themselves of the IPAC Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism to address them instead of dissipating energy in elongated litigations in court.

He said: “IPAC urges members to adhere strictly to their respective constitution in nomination of candidates for elections, discipline of members and leadership change. Compliance to party constitution, and the rule of law will curb crises that impede the development of our emerging democracy.

“The most outrageous of this is the recent attempt by undemocratic forces to hijack the leadership of the National Rescue Movement (NRM) on 17th January 2025, in Abuja, led by Chief Edozie Njoku, the former factional APGA National Chairman who was recently removed from Office on 27th November 2024, by the Supreme Court which restated Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa as the authentic National Chairman of the party. 

“In the worst political gymnastics if not mockery, the embattled National Chairman of NRM, Mr. Isaac Udeh who was having a leadership disagreement with his party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) resigned as Chairman and arrogating to himself the position of National Organizing Secretary of the party. 

“IPAC strongly condemns this political absurdity that has further dented the nation’s democracy. It is preposterous and uncalled for; a deliberate attempt to bring NRM to ridicule and disrepute. 

“Nigerians watched the news of the purported convention on television, except the embattled Mr. Isaac Udeh no member of the party’s National Management Committee or National Executive Committee was in that jamboree called emergency convention conducted to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public. 

“Council urges INEC not to recognise the outcome of the so-called convention staged in flagrant violation of the NRM constitution or any other party in which such a clear violation exists.

“Political parties belong to all Nigerians and every Nigerian is at liberty to join any political party of his choice. However, it has to be in line with the party’s constitution. But to join a party with the sole aim of becoming its national chairman contrary to its constitution is unjust and repugnant to good conscience, and should be condemned by all lovers of democratic governance. 

“As the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC will always intervene in national issues in the quest for a strong, united, stable, progressive, equitable and just democratic nation”.

He said INEC, as the regulatory body of political parties in the country has conducted seven general elections from 1999 to 2023, aside numerous off-season elections, by-elections, re-run elections and supplementary elections. 

He said: “With remarkable reforms and steady development in the electoral process, so much is expected from the Commission in conducting free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive elections that meet international standards. 

“While preparations for the Anambra State gubernatorial election are on, the Commission should also activate its Election Project Plan (EPP), Strategic Programme of Action (SPA), the 2022 – 2026 Strategic Plan and Strategic Plan Implementation Programme (SPIP) for the 2027 general election. 

“To whom much is given much is expected, INEC should know that fellow compatriots count on it for transparent elections that will usher in visionary leaders who will transform the nation. The Commission should justify the confidence reposed in it, put its act together and improve on previous performance. 

“There is no doubt that the conduct of successful election is a collective responsibility of stakeholders. It is the reason we must rebuild trust in the electoral process. Low voter turnout in previous elections is worrisome and a sad commentary in our democratic process. This narrative must change! 

“We must continue to work together in ensuring electoral integrity, the sanctity of the ballot box and the mandate of the people.

“Therefore, IPAC urges stakeholders to support the Commission in discharging its statutory duties essential in consolidating and strengthening our constitutional governance.

“Similarly, Council urges the National Assembly to expedite action in the on-going Constitution and Electoral Act Amendments, as time is of the essence; as well as ensure diligent and speedy consideration and passage of the 2025 appropriation bill. 

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“We also urge citizens to be alive to their civic responsibilities and ensure that those they voted into office should give genuine account of their stewardship. Their performance will determine their fate in future elections. 

“Expectations of Nigerians are becoming higher. Governments at all levels should articulate and implement people-focused programmes and projects that will assuage their sufferings and foster economic growth, political stability, social justice, religious harmony, and national security and unity. 

“As leaders of political parties, we are committed to making our democracy work for the benefit of the people on whom sovereignty resides. Nation building is a collective responsibility, we should therefore set aside partisan politics, victimization of political opponents and marginalization of fellow citizens. 

“Though our democracy is not where it should be, 26 years of uninterrupted representative governance in May 2025; 65 years of Independence in October; and 102 years of the evolution of political parties in Nigeria are testaments of our resilience, patriotism and democratic zeal”.

National chairman of the Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC), Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, said on Thursday, October 17, that the time has come when politicians should stop using the judiciary to make a mockery of the nation’s democracy.

Speaking at the quarterly consultative meeting between the Chairmen of political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dantalle said political party leaders must learn to embrace the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism (ADR) to address the protracted leadership disagreements in some political parties as enshrined in its Code of Conduct.

He said: “As political leaders, we must cultivate and promote the culture of resolving our internal disputes as evidence of leadership capability; rather than over-reliance on the Judiciary. It is time we stop using the Judiciary to make a mockery of our hard-earned democracy.

“The issuance of orders and counter orders, judgments and conflicting judgments by courts of coordinate jurisdiction are appalling as if justice is for sale. Enough of these provocative judicial somersaults that have made a mockery of our emerging democracy. This is also a wakeup call for urgent judicial reform that will sanction and flush out corrupt judicial officers and restore the court as the Temple of Justice and the last hope of all aggrieved people”.

Dentelle said further that “after 25 years of unbroken democracy, the state of the nation is sour. Nigerians are disillusioned. The rising cost of living and political tension have dampened citizens’ morale in the electoral process resulting in low voter turnout in elections.

“Citizens’ participation in elections is critical for sustainable democracy as power resides in the people. The need to create an environment conducive for successful elections, political stability, economic growth and public safety cannot be overemphasized”.

He said governments at all levels must improve the people’s wellbeing in tandem with Section 14(2)b of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, adding that urgent steps should be taken to ameliorate the hardship millions of Nigerians are facing today.

This, he said will spur their political participation that will give more credence to the electoral process.

The IPAC Chairman said: “Nigerians expect INEC to improve on the Saturday 16th November 2024, Ondo State gubernatorial poll. Stakeholders in the electoral process must join in voter education, sensitisation and mobilisation to ensure a free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive, and peaceful election that will meet international standards.

“IPAC will lead from the front in voter mobilisation as a major stakeholder and urges political parties and their candidates to imbibe issue-based campaigns and eschew politics of bitterness.

“The commission is required to put its act together, provide adequate electoral materials, and test run its BVAS and IReV portal to avoid undue technical hitches and glitches that will cast doubt on the integrity of the election. The issue of late arrival of election materials to some polling units must be addressed to reinforce confidence in the polls.

“Equally important is effective communication by the commission’s officials particularly during the collation of results to avoid suspicion of manipulation of results as it happened in the Edo State governorship election where some politicians stormed the collation centre to know why collation of results was suspended. Nigerians, indeed the entire world expect transparency in the conduct of elections.

“Security agents, election observers and the media have critical roles to play in ensuring the success of the poll. They are urged to discharge their duties with utmost responsibility and patriotism. Vote trading has been the bane of most elections in Nigeria.

“Security agents should apprehend and prosecute vote buyers and sellers and their sponsors to face the full weight of the law. We must sanitise the electoral process to stimulate increased restoration of trust that will encourage citizens’ participation in elections.”

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He asked the National Assembly not to dissipate energy and resources in establishing any Local Government electoral commission but should strengthen INEC to conduct all elections in the country, including local government elections, saying, “The commission’s elections may not be perfect; they are far better and credible than the charades showcased by SIECs acting as rubber stamps of the governors who appointed them.

“IPAC is aware of crises in some political parties and inflammatory statements by politicians and public office holders that tend to overheat the polity. We re-emphasise the call on parties to always adhere strictly to their respective constitution and internal democracy.”

Speaking on the forthcoming Ondo governorship election, the IPAC chairman said: “As Nigerians look forward to a successful Ondo State governorship election on November 16, 2024, let us renew our faith in the democratic process and work assiduously in building a better and greater Nigeria future generations will be proud of.”

Concerned about fake certificates presented by aspirants contesting elective offices leading to litigation and denying parties victory, Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has promised to screen certificates presented by aspirants before contesting elections.

IPAC decried prevalence of forged and fake certificates by desperate politicians.

The umbrella body spoke at a meeting between registered parties and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday in Abuja.

IPAC Chairman, Yusuf Danielle, said the body had signed an MoU with Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN) to verify and authenticate aspirants’ certificates before they contest primaries.

Danielle said IPAC took the step to restore sanity to the process and ward off fake documents that bring democracy to disrepute.

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He said: “We must renew citizens’ faith in the political process. This is our chance to build an enduring democracy. This starts with a reliable, accurate, and updated register of voters.

“Cleaning up the register is at the heart of integrity. This must be done to inspire confidence.”

Danielle added: “Democracy has come to stay in Nigeria. Periodic election is the beauty of constitutional governance as power resides in the people. The Edo State governorship election is 22 days away. On Saturday, September 21, residents will troop out to vote their choice.

“As leaders of political parties, this is our chance to restore confidence in the process by ensuring sanctity of the ballot box and respect mandate of the people. After 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, we must get it right.”

Danielle advised INEC to conduct credible elections in Edo and Ondo states.

He told parties what to do to avoid discreditting the process.

“Accordingly, council urges political parties and their candidates to imbibe issue-based campaigns to unite the people and foster development and sustainable democracy.

“There is no place for politics of bitterness and violence that has impeded the nation’s hard-earned democracy. It is time to change the narrative. It is time for patriotism. It is time to strengthen, deepen and advance our democracy. It is a collective task in the quest for a strong, united, progressive, prosperous, equitable and just democratic society.”