The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has lamented the damage being done to the electoral process and democracy through “increasingly frequent leadership squabbles within various political parties” across the country.
INEC complained that its “commitment to maintaining the integrity of our electoral processes is being challenged by the unfortunate and increasingly frequent leadership squabbles within various political parties across our esteemed nation.”
Chairman of the INEC, Professor Joash O. Amupitan, (SAN), who addressed political party representstives today, February 5, in Abuja, reminded politicians that the essence of democracy is rooted in the ability of political parties to flourish, debate and contest ideologies in a manner that respects the tenets of fair play and mutual respect.
“However, it is with great concern that I note the current trend of infighting among party leaderships, which not only detracts from the core objectives of these political entities but also spills over into unnecessary legal battles that tax our judicial system and public resources.
“These numerous litigations, in which the Commission often finds itself joined as a party, divert our attention from our primary mandate: to ensure free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria.
“As the guardians of our electoral process, we are compelled to address these issues not just for the sake of our institution, but for the greater good of our democracy.”
Professor Joash stressed that the implications of these squabbles in the political parties are far-reaching.
“They create an environment of uncertainty for party members and supporters, erode public trust in the political system and undermine the democratic process that we all hold dear.”
According to him, each litigation not only consumes time and resources but also distracts from the important work of mobilizing voters and engaging with the public on critical national issues.
He made it clear that as an Independent body, INEC would remain neutral, “but we seek to remind all political parties that cohesive and transparent leadership is essential for the health of our democracy. We urge party leaders to prioritize constructive dialogue over divisive disputes, to foster unity within their ranks, and to focus on policy development and community engagement rather than internal strife.”
