The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has expressed concern that internal rows within political parties and litigations may negatively affect the election process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Prof. Amupitan spoke at the Technical Workshop on the Revision of INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, organized by the Commission in partnership with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
At the event, held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, on Wednesday, he lamented that rather than serving as vehicles for national transformation, political parties are currently witnessing a disturbing trend of leadership squabbles and infighting that threaten to turn them into arenas of permanent strife.
He warned that the situation threatens the Commission’s commitment to democratic consolidation in the country and described the situation as “unnecessary litigations, with billions of naira already expended, as well as internal leadership crises rocking political parties”.
“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. As an independent body, we remain neutral, but we are no longer passive observers.
“Political parties in Nigeria face a crisis of internal democracy. Of grave concern is the quality of party primaries. As we move towards the primary window of 23 April to 30 May 2026, we must enforce a level playing field. The quality of internal party democracy has a direct bearing on the subsequent elections conducted by INEC.
“These frequent leadership tussles do more than dilute party ideologies; they spill over into our courtrooms, resulting in a deluge of unnecessary litigations where INEC is routinely joined as a party.”
He expressed confidence that the workshop would systematically analyze the key provisions of the new Electoral Act and identify the necessary amendments to the existing regulations and guidelines for political parties.
In his goodwill message, the Country Director of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Mr. Adebowale Olorunmola, explained the need to improve the guidelines and regulations in order to give full effect to the Electoral Act, noting that changes had been introduced following the passage and assent to the new law.
“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.
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