The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has expressed deep concern over the rising cost of living in Nigeria, linking it to increasing voter apathy during elections. At a recent meeting with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), IPAC’s National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, highlighted that after 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, the current state of the nation has left many citizens disillusioned and disengaged from the electoral process.
Dantalle emphasized the importance of creating an environment conducive to successful elections and urged government officials to prioritize the welfare of the people, in line with the constitutional mandate that states the security and welfare of citizens should be the government’s primary purpose. He called for immediate actions to alleviate the hardships faced by many Nigerians, which could lead to greater political participation and enhance the credibility of elections.
Additionally, IPAC stressed the need for INEC to ensure improvements in the upcoming Ondo State Governorship Election. The council urged all stakeholders to engage in voter education and mobilization efforts to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections that meet international standards. Dantalle also pointed out the necessity for INEC to adequately prepare by testing its electoral technology to avoid technical issues that could undermine the election’s integrity.