Okechukwu urges INEC chairman to prioritise credible elections over internal party affairs

Former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, to focus on delivering free, fair and credible elections, insisting that credible polls remain the strongest antidote to intra-party impunity.

Okechukwu made the call while reacting to the INEC chairman’s recent appeal to political parties to strictly adhere to the principles of internal democracy during a courtesy visit to former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Minna, Niger State.

In a statement he signed on Sunday, the founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) noted that the INEC chairman had repeatedly stressed the importance of internal democracy, having made similar remarks in Akwa Ibom in March 2026 and again in Abuja in June 2026.

While agreeing that internal democracy is vital for political parties, Okechukwu argued that the best way to encourage compliance is for INEC to consistently conduct transparent and credible elections.

“Whereas one agrees with the Chairman that strict observance of internal democracy within political parties is of paramount importance, the greatest incentive for political parties to uphold internal democracy is the consistent conduct of free, fair and transparent elections by INEC,” he said.

According to him, political parties are more likely to respect democratic principles and present widely accepted candidates when they are confident that election outcomes truly reflect the will of the people.

“Political party leaders will do everything within the ambit of the law to keep their houses in order and present the most acceptable and popular candidates when they are confident that elections will be free and fair.

“In such circumstances, they are compelled to obey the wishes of the electorate. However, when elections are perceived as lacking transparency, internal party conflicts and impunity are more likely to thrive,” he added.

Okechukwu also dismissed allegations by some opposition parties that INEC was biased in the conduct of elections.

He maintained that the APC has no interest in compromised elections, insisting that credible polls are essential for the legitimacy of elected officials and the growth of Nigeria’s democracy.

“Certainly not,” he said. “I dismiss the hand-gun allegation. APC needs free and fair elections, not only for legitimacy with our 31 state governors, but for the genuine growth of our fledgling democracy and overall good governance.”

He added that the APC remains a formidable political force and expressed confidence that credible elections would strengthen both Nigeria’s democratic institutions and its political parties.