The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take urgent steps to rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process, warning that low voter turnout in recent polls signals widespread disillusionment.
Speaking on Thursday at INEC’s second quarterly meeting with political parties in Abuja, IPAC Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, said many Nigerians are losing faith in the system due to fears that their votes will not count, persistent electoral violence, and concerns over politicians who fail to fulfil campaign promises.
“This is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately,” Dantalle said.
“Active citizens’ participation is essential for sustainable democracy and development.”
He stressed that free, fair, and credible elections are vital to sustaining Nigeria’s democracy. “We must uphold the sanctity of the ballot box and respect the will of the people. Elected public officers must be held accountable at all levels of governance.
This is one salient way to protect and sustain our hard-earned democracy,” he stated.
Referencing Section 14(2)b of the 1999 Constitution, Dantalle noted that citizens expect governance that prioritises their security and welfare after 26 years of uninterrupted democracy.
He added that credible elections would naturally foster trust and encourage greater participation in nation-building.
IPAC also urged political parties to conduct transparent and rancour-free primaries ahead of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council election.
“The integrity of the electoral process starts with parties’ primaries where candidates are nominated for various offices. Parties must comply with their constitutions and desist from the imposition of candidates,” he said.
Ahead of the November 8, 2025 Anambra State governorship election, IPAC advised parties and their candidates to embrace issue-based campaigns and reject politics of bitterness.
Dantalle described the upcoming poll as another opportunity for INEC to demonstrate its capacity for credible elections, urging the commission to leverage its new AI-driven technologies to boost decision-making, voter engagement, and electoral integrity.
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