Political Parties under the umbrella of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have bemoaned the rising cost of living in the country, attributing this development as a significant factor behind the increasing cases of voter apathy during elections.
IPAC National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fourth quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties.
The parties also urged stakeholders to “stop using the Judiciary to make a mockery of our hard-earned democracy.”
“After 25 years of unbroken democracy, the state of the nation is sour. Nigerians are disillusioned. The rising cost of living and political tension have dampened citizens’ morale in the electoral process, resulting in low voter turnout in elections.
“Citizens’ participation in elections is critical for sustainable democracy, as power resides in the people. The need to create an environment conducive to successful elections, political stability, economic growth, and public safety cannot be overemphasized.
“IPAC urges governments at all levels to improve the people’s wellbeing in tandem with Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. Urgent steps should be taken to ameliorate the hardship millions of Nigerians are facing today. This will spur their political participation and give more credence to the electoral process,” he stated.
According to IPAC, Nigerians expect INEC to improve on the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State. The council urged stakeholders in the electoral process to join in voter education, sensitization, and mobilization to ensure a free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive, and peaceful election that will meet international standards.
Dantalle emphasized that the commission must put its act together, provide adequate electoral materials, and test-run its BVAS and IReV portal to avoid undue technical hitches and glitches that could cast doubts on the integrity of the election.