Tha national chairman of IPAC Yusuf Mamman Dantale has praised President Tinubu for the recent Supreme Court judgement that gave local government administration in Nigeria the much awaited financial Autonomy. He was speaking at the third quarterly meeting of IPAC With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held in Abuja on Monday.
“IPAC commends the recent financial autonomy granted to the 774 Local Governments in Nigeria following the landmark judgement of the Supreme Court. It will go a long way in transforming the nation and providing basic social amenities to citizens at the third tier of government. He stated.
We must express faith and unalloyed commitment in the democratic process and make it work.
As a major stakeholder in the political process, IPAC is unwavering in its quest for electoral integrity, sanctity of the ballot box and respect to the will and mandate of the people, political stability and well-being of Nigerians.
To further deepen democracy at the grassroots level, IPAC demands the immediate scrapping of the States Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs). The charade called elections they conduct is an aberration, dent and mockery of our emerging democracy; a waste of tax payers’ money that ought to have been channeled to developmental projects.
SIECS do not have voter registers, BVAS, IReV portals, ballot boxes and trained personnel to conduct credible elections. The polls they pretend to conduct contribute to voters’ apathy and distrust in the electoral process.
To restore confidence in the electoral system, INEC should be empowered to conduct all Local Government elections. Politics is local, citizens should be encouraged to actively participate in grassroots politics and contribute in building a better society.
In this vein, IPAC calls for the amendment of the Constitution and the Electoral Act to empower INEC to conduct all Local Governments polls. Council rejects the proposed bill by the Senate to create the so-called Local Government Independent Electoral Commission, bearing in mind that it would be another SIEC in disguise. It is unacceptable, ill-conceived, another electoral jamboree that will impede the nation’s democracy and waste public funds at a time when citizens demand a smaller government to reduce the cost of governance
After 25 years of unbroken democracy, citizens expect and deserve abundant dividends of democracy from governments at all levels to assuage their sufferings. IPAC feels the pains of fellow compatriots and has been in touch with relevant authorities with a view to ameliorating the hardship in the land. This is why we must continue to water and nurture the democracy tree into maturity to yield its fruits to citizens and redirect the nation to the path of prosperity and greatness. This requires citizens’ active participation in the democratic process. It also means that governments at all levels must be held accountable as power resides in the people.
While addressing the Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committee on Electoral Matters last week, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu said the commission had the capacity to conduct all Local Government elections as it did for FCT Area Councils generally adjudged to be free and fair and without rancour. IPAC supports this and urges the National Assembly to amend the relevant electoral laws to accommodate it.
For the Edo State governorship election, the die is cast. There is no substitute for free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful poll. The success of this election along with Ondo’s will go a long way in restoring trust in the democratic process essential for enduring representative governance. Flawed elections that produced incompetent leaders are the remote cause of economic stagnation, political upheavals and socio-religious disharmony in the polity as the imposed leaders seek personal interests in place of national interest.
“Once we get our elections right and credible leaders emerge, there will be drastic reduction in elections petitions & litigations. Leaders will be focused and provide needed dividends of democracy that will assuage the hunger and anger in the land. INEC will concentrate on its statutory duties. It will no longer dissipate energy and resources on flurry of litigations and distractions. On our part, we will continue with joint responsibility of voters’ education and with INEC continued support we will be in Edo and Ondo States to enlighten the stakeholders to ensure peaceful elections.He stated.
He reaffirmes the commitment of IPAC towards sanitizing the democratic process for successful elections and political stability. Restating that there cannot be development without political stability and trust in government.
“As the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC urges citizens to close ranks, let us imbibe issue-based campaigns and participate in making our elections transparent and accept the will of the people expressed in their votes. The era of do-or-die politics and vote trading is over. As INEC continues to improve on its various technologies that will enhance electoral integrity, Nigeria will regain its past glory as the great arsenal of democracy in Africa” The IPAC chairman Noted
The IPAC chairman strongly advocates for the establishment of the Electoral Offences Commission to prosecute electoral offenders to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to tow this path of dishonour.
Nigerians want to see an impressive turnout in the September 2024 Edo State governorship election. It is a collective responsibility of all stakeholders.
No sacrifice is too big for us to pay in strengthening, deepening and consolidating the nation’s democracy. In realizing this, IPAC will lead from the front banking on INEC’s support as usual. That’s why we are here.
Together, we will restore electoral trust and integrity, deepen our democracy and make Nigeria great again.
