The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has expressed concern over weak internal democracy within political parties and its potential impact on elections conducted by INEC.
Speaking on Wednesday at Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State, during a technical workshop organized in partnership with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, Amupitan emphasized the risks posed by non-transparent party primaries.
“Political parties in Nigeria face a crisis of internal democracy, especially regarding the quality of party primaries,” he said. “If unpopular candidates are imposed through non transparent processes, it can lead to voter apathy and an increase in pre-election litigation.”
Amupitan highlighted that frequent leadership disputes within parties often spill into the courts, forcing INEC to defend its procedures and diverting resources from election planning. “Each day spent resolving these intra-party disputes is a day diverted from our primary mandate of conducting elections,” he added.
He also noted that the commission’s 2026 guidelines will introduce stricter requirements for membership documentation, financial transparency, and the inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Electoral Act 2026 and 2027 Timelines
The INEC chairman discussed the recently assented Electoral Act 2026, which recalibrates the commission’s election schedules. Presidential and National Assembly elections are set for Saturday 16 January 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on Saturday 6 February 2027.
“The reduction in timelines creates a compressed operational environment that demands unprecedented speed and precision,” Amupitan said.
Workshop Goals
The Ikot Ekpene workshop aims to harmonize INEC regulations with the 2026 Act, integrate findings from the Political Party Performance Index, and explore best practices to strengthen party operations.
“The goal is to ensure political parties evolve from being merely election vehicles to becoming enduring democratic institutions,” he said.
Adebowale Olorunmola, Country Director of Westminster Foundation for Democracy Nigeria, emphasized that collaboration with INEC seeks to bridge gaps between the Electoral Act and practical party operations.
“Political parties must become viable institutions that sustain democracy, not just platforms for conducting elections,” he said.
Amupitan reassured stakeholders that INEC will remain a neutral umpire, enforcing electoral rules to protect the sovereign will of the Nigerian people.
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