APC chieftain urges INEC to prioritize credible 2027 polls over internal party affairs

By Jude Opara

A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to concentrate on delivering free, fair and credible elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Okechukwu made the appeal while reacting to the INEC chairman’s recent call on political parties to strengthen internal democracy during a courtesy visit to former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Minna, Niger State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) acknowledged the importance of internal democracy within political parties but argued that credible elections remain the greatest incentive for parties to respect democratic principles.
He noted that the INEC chairman had repeatedly stressed the need for internal democracy, recalling similar remarks made in Akwa Ibom in March 2026 and Abuja in June 2026.
According to Okechukwu, political parties are more likely to conduct transparent primaries and field popular candidates when they are confident that the general election process will be free, fair and transparent.
He argued that credible elections compel party leaders to respect the wishes of the electorate, while flawed electoral processes encourage impunity and deepen internal party disputes.
“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,” he said.
The APC stalwart also rejected allegations by opposition parties that INEC favours the ruling party in the conduct of elections.
Describing such claims as unfounded, Okechukwu insisted that the APC has every interest in credible elections, saying transparent polls would strengthen the legitimacy of elected leaders and deepen Nigeria’s democratic culture.
He maintained that the ruling party remains a formidable political force and argued that free and fair elections would benefit not only the APC but also Nigeria’s democratic institutions and governance.