IPAC seeks comprehensive review of Electoral Act 2026

*Says success of any electoral process begins before election day.

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the umbrella body for the nation’s registered political parties,
has called on the National Assembly, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, to undertake a comprehensive review of the Electoral Act 2026 with a view to addressing the operational deficiencies revealed during the recent political parties’ nomination process.
The National Chairman of IPAC, Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantalle made the call in a speech he delivered at the second quarterly consultative meeting between the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and leaders of registered political parties in Abuja on Tuesday.
The said Electoral laws, Dantalle said, should promote democratic participation, strengthen political institutions, and advance the national interest rather than create avoidable obstacles to effective political competition.
He pointed out that the aspiration of every patriotic Nigerian is to see a democratic system that is inclusive, transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs and expectations of the people.
According to him, “The success of any electoral process begins long before Election Day. It starts with the credibility, transparency, and legitimacy of the processes through which political parties nominate candidates for public office.
“Political parties remain the primary vehicles for democratic participation and electoral competition.
“Consequently, the integrity of the electoral process is fundamentally linked to the integrity of internal party processes.
“The nomination of candidates by political parties for the 2027 General Election officially concluded on Saturday, 30 May 2026, in accordance with the timetable and schedule of activities released by INEC.
‘However, the conduct of these primaries exposed significant legal, administrative, and operational challenges that deserve urgent national attention.
“Political parties encountered unprecedented difficulties in conducting primaries for the offices of President, Governor, Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, and Member of the State House of Assembly. “These challenges arose largely from the restrictive provisions of Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which limited parties to either consensus or direct primaries, effectively eliminating the option of indirect primaries.
“Elections remain the cornerstone of representative democracy. There is no substitute for a democratic system founded on the free expression of the will of the people. “As we prepare for the forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States and ultimately the 2027 General Election, we must collectively work to restore public trust and confidence in the electoral process.
“The credibility of elections is indispensable to democratic legitimacy, political stability, national cohesion, and sustainable development.
“IPAC therefore urges political actors across the country to embrace issue-based campaigns and reject all forms of violence, intimidation, hate speech, and political extremism. Democracy thrives on healthy competition of ideas, not confrontation and bloodshed.
“In this regard, the Council strongly condemns the recent incidents of political violence reported in Osun State.
“We call on all political actors to exercise restraint and place the national interest above partisan considerations.
“No political ambition is worth the loss of human life, the destruction of property, or the destabilisation of communities.
“We equally call upon security agencies to discharge their constitutional and statutory responsibilities with professionalism, neutrality, and diligence to ensure a peaceful political environment throughout the electoral cycle.
“As the nation’s electoral management body, INEC occupies a pivotal position in Nigeria’s democratic architecture. The Commission must continue to uphold the highest standards of impartiality, professionalism, transparency, and accountability.
‘It is imperative that all political parties and candidates are accorded equal treatment and provided with a level playing field.
“The confidence of Nigerians and the international community in our electoral system depends substantially on the integrity, independence, and credibility of the Commission.
‘We therefore urge INEC to remain steadfast in the discharge of its constitutional mandate.
“This is a defining moment in our democratic journey. It is a time for patriotism, statesmanship, and collective responsibility.
‘The task of building a strong, inclusive, prosperous, and resilient democracy belongs to all of us.
“Let us continue to nurture and strengthen the institutions of democracy so that they may effectively serve the people and deliver the dividends of good governance, social justice, economic opportunity, and national development.
“As the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, the Inter-Party Advisory Council remains committed to constructive engagement and collaboration with INEC, the National Assembly, security agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, and all other stakeholders in the collective effort to deepen democratic governance and strengthen electoral integrity in our country.
“Together, we can build a democratic system that reflects the aspirations of our people and secures a brighter future for generations yet unborn”, he declared.

END