The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has declared the Federal High Court judgment nullifying the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) deadline for political parties to submit membership registers as a major victory for democracy, constitutional order and the rule of law in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Egbeola Wale Martins, IPAC maintained that INEC’s administrative guidelines cannot supersede the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution or existing electoral laws.
The Council’s reaction followed Thursday’s landmark judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which affirmed that although INEC has supervisory authority over elections, it lacks the constitutional power to impose binding timelines dictating how and when political parties should conduct their internal primaries.
IPAC described the ruling as a clear reaffirmation of constitutional supremacy, insisting that it was improper for INEC to attempt to “rewrite the Constitution through administrative guidelines.”
“While no one is questioning the powers of INEC to issue guidelines for the conduct of elections, such guidelines must operate strictly within the confines of the law,” the statement read.
According to the Council, the judgment restores the constitutional rights of political parties to freely manage their internal affairs without unlawful interference and strengthens democratic participation within political parties.
IPAC further noted that the ruling would help ensure equal opportunities for party members and aspirants seeking to participate in party primaries, while discouraging exclusionary measures capable of disenfranchising stakeholders in the electoral process.
“This judgment therefore represents a major victory for democracy, the rule of law, political parties and indeed all citizens of Nigeria,” the statement added.
The Council also urged the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to strengthen consultations and engagement with political parties, describing them as critical stakeholders in the electoral system.
According to IPAC, wider consultation could have prevented the legal dispute and the controversy surrounding the commission’s directive.
The body reiterated its long-standing concern that INEC’s attempt to compress numerous electoral activities into a limited pre-election period could create confusion, administrative bottlenecks and exclusion within the democratic process.
Meanwhile, concerns over worsening insecurity in the South-West have reportedly prompted discussions among regional leaders on the need for urgent collective action.
A source familiar with the development disclosed that deliberations would focus largely on security challenges confronting Yorubaland.
“It is high time we stopped this cancer that is spreading its virus across Yorubaland. We must act now before the situation becomes unbearable,” the source said.
The source added that governors in the region are expected to determine the date, venue and timing of the proposed meeting.
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