The National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain independent, neutral, and decisive as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at the INEC consultative meeting with leaders of political parties at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, 5 February 2026, Dantalle congratulated Professor Joash Amupitan, SAN, on his appointment as INEC Chairman and described the engagement as a crucial step toward deepening Nigeria’s democracy.
He emphasized that INEC’s integrity is tested at every election and urged the Commission to strictly adhere to party constitutions when recognizing party leadership, warning that failure to do so could fuel internal crises, litigation, and public perceptions of bias. According to him, such disputes have in the past weakened political parties and undermined democratic development.
The IPAC chairman also advised political parties to prioritize internal dispute resolution mechanisms provided by the Council rather than rushing to court, noting that the Supreme Court of Nigeria has consistently ruled that it lacks jurisdiction over internal party leadership disputes.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey, Dantalle said there should be no justification for elections that fall short of credibility, transparency, and public acceptability, especially as the country approaches its eighth general election under INEC’s supervision. He urged party leaders to uphold internal democracy, avoid candidate imposition, and respect constitutional provisions on leadership tenure.
IPAC further called on the National Assembly of Nigeria to urgently harmonize the electoral legal framework ahead of the next general election, reiterating its advocacy for mandatory real-time transmission of election results to the IReV portal.
Dantalle described the February 2026 Federal Capital Territory Area Council election as a critical test for INEC, noting that it has consistently produced competitive outcomes unlike many polls conducted by State Independent Electoral Commissions. He renewed IPAC’s long-standing position that SIECs be scrapped and INEC empowered to conduct all elections nationwide, citing the Commission’s experience and capacity.
He also advocated for conducting all elections on the same day to reduce costs, curb voter fatigue, and improve turnout. According to him, the outcomes of the FCT Area Council poll and forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti State and Osun State will send strong signals about expectations for the 2027 General Election.
Dantalle assured that IPAC would continue to collaborate with INEC and other stakeholders to strengthen democracy, promote political stability, and ensure credible elections, stressing that Nigerians and the international community are watching closely.
He concluded by expressing confidence that collective commitment and adherence to democratic principles would help build a stronger and more resilient Nigeria.
