The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reconsider its recent decision regarding the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that failure to act carefully could spark a credibility crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Egbeola Wale Martins, the council expressed concern that INEC’s actions could escalate political tensions.
IPAC specifically faulted the reported removal of the names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from INEC’s official portal, describing the move as premature and capable of creating avoidable instability within the polity.
According to the council, such actions, if not properly managed, risk undermining public confidence in the neutrality of the electoral body. It emphasized that leadership disputes within political parties should not be interpreted as a vacuum in party structures.
The council also raised concerns over the timing of INEC’s proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise, warning that it could overburden political parties and disenfranchise millions of eligible voters if implemented without adequate consultation.
IPAC urged the commission to reconsider the schedule to avoid creating a congested electoral process that may ultimately exclude citizens from participating fully in the democratic system.
Additionally, the council condemned the persistent killings in Plateau State, describing the violence as senseless and a threat to national unity and security. It called for the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
IPAC stressed that Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when elections are credible, institutions remain stable, and citizens feel secure enough to actively participate in the democratic process.
