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Mahmood Yakubu: Internal party democracy key to credible elections

Mahmood Yakubu

Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says internal party democracy is essential to achieving credible elections.

Yakubu spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the public presentation of a book, ‘Celebrating 100 Years of Political Party Evolution in Nigeria: The Imperatives of Nigeria’s Political Stability,’ by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).

Represented by Sam Olumekun, INEC national commissioner of election and party monitoring, Yakubu said it is important for political parties to conduct their activities in accordance and compliance with the electoral legal framework—the 1999 Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act.

“Political parties form the cornerstone of a democratic society and serve a function unlike any other institution in a democracy,” he said.

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“Parties aggregate and represent social interests and provide a structure for political participation.

“As the umbrella body for all registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC has played a crucial role in fostering dialogue between political parties and the commission, ensuring a more inclusive electoral process.

“This partnership is committed to promoting adherence to democratic principles, improving election management, and strengthening our collective resolve to deepen democracy in Nigeria.

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“Our collaboration has yielded significant results in areas such as political party registration, election monitoring, and engendering capacity-building initiatives for political actors.

“Going forward, we must sustain and deepen this engagement to ensure that our democracy continues to evolve in line with international best practices.

“As is currently constitutionally provided, candidates running for elective offices must do so under the sponsorship of duly registered political parties. Hence, they are the fulcrum of democratic governance in Nigeria.

“One hundred years is a very long time for political parties to have evolved into formidable democratic pillars. A lot of responsibility lies with the political parties to ensure that electoral outcomes ultimately reflect the aspirations of the people.”

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Yakubu said there is a need for political parties to critically interrogate their affairs and conduct credible primary elections.

“Internal party democracy is the foundation upon which credible general elections are built. Effective leadership recruitment is made possible only when eligible persons with capacity are selected through duly conducted party primaries and put up for elections,” the INEC chairman said.

“When political parties uphold democratic principles in their internal processes. It enhances public confidence in the electoral system and strengthens democratic governance.

“Unfortunately, we have witnessed instances where lack of internal democracy has led to disputes, litigations, and disruptions in the electoral process. It is, therefore, imperative that political parties remain committed to transparent, fair, and credible primaries.

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“As we move towards future elections, I urge all political parties to strengthen their internal governance mechanisms and ensure that their processes reflect the will of their members. A democratic society begins with democratic political parties.

“Political parties must invest in building strong and law-abiding institutions with distinct ideological leanings, rather than in installing behemoths.”

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He stressed that INEC is committed to ensuring that the nation’s electoral processes remain credible, transparent, and inclusive.

Yakubu said the commission is consulting with the national assembly to organise a retreat on areas of the electoral act that require urgent reforms.

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