2023 general election critical to survival of Nigeria’s democracy – IPAC

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has said that the upcoming 2023 general election is critical for the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

In a goodwill message signed by Comrade Egbeola Wale Martins, th National Organizing Secretary/acting National Publicity Secretary of IPAC, to mark the Easter celebration, the Council urged political parties and their candidates to eschew politics of bitterness that impeded the nation’s democratic encounter.

While emphasizing that politicians should embrace issue based campaigns as political leaders strive to build a better nation, IPAC enjoined Christians and Nigerians generally to use the occasion of Easter to pray for peace, unity and good governance in Nigeria.

“The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) celebrates the joy of Easter with Christians across the country and urges them to emulate the Pius life of the Lord Jesus Christ, his love, humility and sacrifice for the redemption of mankind. His death and resurrection are the essence of Christianity”, the statement said.

It also charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field for aspirants across all parties, saying “As the electoral umpire, INEC should provide a level playing field for political parties and their candidates participating in various elections.

“The commission should justify the confidence Nigerians reposed in it and conduct free, fair, credible, transparent, peaceful and inclusive elections which are hallmarks of durable democracy. The people’s votes and mandates should be respected by the citizenry.

“This is the only way we will deepen our frail democracy and make Nigeria great again.

“IPAC reiterates its call for the scrapping of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) as they are neither independent nor credible. The charades called elections by these commissions are sad commentaries in the nation’s political process and should be scrapped immediately.

“IPAC will no longer participate in these sham elections that have made mockery of our hard earned democracy. Council will engage stakeholders with a view to sanitizing the country’s electoral process.

“It is time for patriotism. IPAC will be at the vanguard for good governance as we jointly build a prosperous, egalitarian and just democratic society.”