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Tasks parties, CSOs, others on strong legislative institutions
By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
Ahead of the 2027 general election in Nigeria, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has declared that no democracy, in any part of the world, is perfect, stating that it is a continuous journey of reform and improvement.
Towards this end, the INEC Chairman has tasked political parties, civil society organizations and all well-meaning Nigerians to actively support and advocate for necessary legislative amendments that will strengthen the nation’s democracy and make it
much more inclusive.
Prof Yakubu said this on Thursday at the launch of the book titled, “100 years of Political Party Evolution in Nigeria: The Imperative of Nigeria Political Stability, Issues and Solutions” organized by the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), in Abuja.
He tasked all the registered political parties to strengthen their internal governance mechanisms and ensure that their processes reflect the will of their members.
Staying that a democratic society begins with democratic political parties,
the INEC Chairman charged the parties on the imperative need to invest in building strong and law-abiding institutions with distinct ideological leanings, rather than in installing behemoths.
As an electoral management body, INEC, the Chairman stated, is committed to ensuring that the country’s electoral processes remain credible, transparent, and inclusive.
He however pointed out that certain areas of Nigeria’s electoral
framework require urgent reforms to enhance the integrity of the elections and address emerging challenges.
The INEC Chairman said, “As we move towards future elections, I urge all political parties to strengthen
their internal governance mechanisms and ensure that their processes reflect the will of their members.
“A democratic society begins with democratic political parties.
“Political parties must invest in building strong and law-abiding institutions with distinct ideological leanings, rather than in installing behemoths.
“No democracy is perfect; it is a continuous journey of reform and improvement.
“As an electoral management body, INEC is committed to ensuring that our electoral processes remain credible, transparent, and inclusive.
“However, certain areas of our electoral
framework require urgent reforms to enhance the integrity of our elections and address emerging challenges.
“To this end, the Commission is already in consultation with the National Assembly Committee’s on Electoral Matters to organize a retreat where areas requiring urgent reforms will be deliberated upon.
“We recognize that electoral reforms are not the sole responsibility of INEC or the National Assembly alone.
“Political parties, civil society organizations, and all well-meaning Nigerians must actively support and advocate for necessary legislative amendments that will strengthen our democracy and make it
much more inclusive.
“I, therefore, challenge IPAC and all political actors here today to champion these reforms, advocate for laws that enhance the credibility of our elections and work collectively towards an electoral system that is fair, just, and representative”, he said.
Continuing, Yakubu said, “As we reflect on a century of political party evolution in Nigeria, it is evident that more gains will be recorded in a milieu of strict adherence to provisions of the constitution, guidelines and regulations for political parties: active engagement, effective collaborative endeavours in areas such as conducting result-oriented voter education for increased citizen participation, promoting constructive dialogue, and the commitment of all electoral stakeholders to chart a course for values orientation”, he stressed.
