The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has dissociated itself from a purported protest tagged ‘’Occupy INEC Rally’’, calling for the resignation or sack of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.
In a statement by Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, National Chairman, IPAC, the body noted that although some of the elections conducted by INEC fell short of expectations, the way to go about expressing dissatisfaction is not by engaging in illegal activities.
Sani, in the atatement noted that “as the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria and a major stakeholder in the democratic process that fields candidates and participates in elections conducted by INEC and States Independent Electoral Commission (SIECs), which is in the vanguard of promoting and stimulating free, fair, credible, transparent and peaceful elections in accordance with the law, and ensuring political stability in the country”, they cannot subscribe to such process in expressing their greviances.
He stated that IPAC regularly interfaces with INEC, relevant arms of government, development partners and civil society organizations where crucial national issues, including conduct of credible elections, stressing that at such fora, such issues are discussed and the way forward in consolidating and deepening democracy in Nigeria are charted.
According to him, “while aggrieved political parties and their candidates that participated in the 2023 general election and the off-season governorship elections are at various election tribunals and courts to seek redress, it will be inappropriate to occupy the commission at this critical period as it is involved in all the litigations.
“It is obvious that some of the elections did not meet the expectations of Nigerians, which is why aggrieved political parties have approached the court for adjudication and the need for further reform of the nation’s electoral process to meet international standards that will curb post-elections petitions.
“IPAC is not involved and will not participate in the occupy INEC rally.
“The organizers should stop dropping IPAC’s name in their bid to attract supporters,” he stated.
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