INEC moves to strengthen internal democracy through credible party primaries
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated its commitment to enforcing internal democracy within political parties through the conduct of credible primaries. Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan,
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated its commitment to enforcing internal democracy within political parties through the conduct of credible primaries.
Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made the declaration on Tuesday in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, while delivering his keynote address at the opening of a technical workshop on the review of INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
The three-day workshop, facilitated by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in Nigeria, brought together key stakeholders, including national commissioners, senior officials of the Commission and electoral experts.
Amupitan said the workshop was convened to harmonise the Commission’s regulatory framework for political parties with the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act.
He expressed concern over persistent internal disputes arising from the absence of democratic processes in party primaries, noting that such lapses have triggered avoidable conflicts and litigation.
The INEC chairman stressed that the Commission would take necessary steps to curb the trend and ensure compliance with established guidelines.
READ ALSO: NPA: Nigeria ports post 24.8% cargo growth, 205.8% transhipment surge in 2025
He said, "Political parties in Nigeria face the crisis of internal democracy. Of grave concern is the quality of Party Primaries. As we move towards the primary window of April 23 to May 30, 2026, we must enforce a level playing field.
"The quality of internal party democracy has a direct bearing on the secondary election conducted by INEC. If unpopular candidates are forced upon the electorate through non-transparent processes, we face the twin monsters of voter apathy and an explosion of pre-election litigation.
"Our collective commitment is being challenged by leadership squabbles and judicialised politics. In the last cycle alone, INEC was joined in scores of suits that could have been avoided by simple adherence to party constitutions.
The Commission's boss further said, "As an Independent body, we remain neutral, but we are no longer passive observers. The 2026 Guidelines will introduce stricter benchmarks for membership documentation, financial transparency, and the inclusion of women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
'However, the expansion of the political space must not be mistaken for an expansion of chaos. We are currently witnessing a disturbing trend of leadership squabbles and infighting that threaten to turn political parties into theatres of permanent strife rather than vehicles for national development.
"These frequent leadership tussles do more than just dilute party ideologies; they spill over into our courtrooms, resulting in a deluge of unnecessary litigations where INEC is routinely joined as a party.
"Each day spent defending these intra-party disputes is a day diverted from our primary mandate of election planning. We must use this workshop to embed regulatory mechanisms that encourage constructive dialogue and internal dispute resolution, reminding party leaders that cohesive leadership is not an option; it is a democratic imperative".
Mr. Adebowale Olorunmola, Country Director, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), Nigeria in his goodwill message said it was important to bridge the gap between the letter of the 2026 Act and the practical, day-to-day operations of our political parties.
"The 2022 edition of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines served us well in the conduct of the 2023 general elections and other subsequent elections.
"However, "current realities" are no longer what they were four years ago. Today, we are tasked with bridging the gap between the letter of the 2026 Act and the practical, day-to-day operations of our political parties", he said.
