The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has emphasized the need for internal party democracy and electoral reforms in the country. Speaking at the launch of a book titled “Celebrating 100 Years of Political Party Evolution in Nigeria,” organized by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja, Prof. Yakubu stressed that credible primary elections are essential for building a strong democratic foundation.
“A democratic society begins with democratic political parties,” he said, urging parties to strengthen their internal governance mechanisms and ensure transparent, fair, and credible primaries. He also called on parties to invest in building strong, law-abiding institutions with distinct ideological leanings.
Prof. Yakubu highlighted the importance of continuous electoral reforms to enhance the integrity of elections and address emerging challenges. He announced that INEC is consulting with the National Assembly Committee on Electoral Matters to organize a retreat to discuss areas requiring urgent reforms.
The INEC Chairman emphasized that electoral reform is a collective responsibility, calling on political parties, civil society organizations, and all Nigerians to actively support necessary legislative amendments. “I, therefore, challenge IPAC and all political actors here today to champion these reforms,” he urged.
Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, also spoke at the event, lauding IPAC for its foresight in documenting Nigeria’s 102 years of political party formation and 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule. He expressed confidence that the efforts to reform the electoral process, combined with the knowledge gained from the book, would pave the way for sustainable democracy and development in Nigeria.
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