Political parties in the country have been urged to strengthen internal democracy by conducting transparent, credible and inclusive primary elections, as most election-related disputes originate long before Nigerians cast their ballots.
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja while delivering the keynote address at the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country, 1999–2023, a two-volume publication authored by the Managing Director of THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Eniola Bello.
Amupitan said Nigeria’s democracy would only flourish if political parties respected their constitutions, adhered to established rules and allowed members to play a meaningful role in the nomination of candidates.
He warned that the imposition of candidates, opaque primary election processes and disregard for party guidelines had continued to fuel avoidable pre-election litigation, erode public confidence and undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
The INEC Chairman advocated an amendment to the Electoral Act to compel political parties to conclude the nomination of candidates at least one year before general elections.
According to him, resolving nomination disputes early would significantly reduce election-related litigation and enable the Commission to focus on its constitutional responsibility of conducting credible polls.
He noted that many of the legal disputes associated with elections stem from disagreements arising during party primaries rather than from the actual conduct of elections, stressing that strengthening internal democracy within political parties is as important as strengthening the country’s electoral institutions.
Amupitan also called for greater institutional protection for INEC to enable it to discharge its constitutional mandate more effectively.
He urged constitutional and electoral reforms that would guarantee genuine financial autonomy for the Commission, arguing that the current first-line charge arrangement has not fully insulated INEC from the constraints of the annual budgetary process.
According to him, although Section 81(3) of the 1999 Constitution places INEC’s funding on the first-line charge of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the Commission still operates within the conventional budgetary envelope system, limiting the level of operational independence expected of an electoral management body.
He therefore proposed that the Commission’s funding should be drawn directly from the Federation Account to ensure seamless operations and enable INEC to effectively carry out its constitutional responsibilities, including voter registration, regulation of political parties and the conduct of elections, without unnecessary administrative bottlenecks.
Amupitan maintained that building strong electoral institutions requires more than constitutional safeguards.
He said it also demands ethical leadership, stronger democratic institutions, respect for the rule of law and an unwavering commitment by all stakeholders to democratic values.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who was represented by his Special Adviser on General Duties, Aliyu Modibbo, said democracy flourishes when governments accommodate criticism and remain accountable to the people.
He described journalism, literature and civic engagement as indispensable pillars of democratic development, noting that they help keep those in authority accountable. According to him, governments that fail to listen to the voices of their citizens ultimately risk losing public trust and confidence.
The event drew senior government officials, members of the judiciary, diplomats, media executives, academics, civil society leaders and other distinguished guests, who gathered to celebrate Bello’s contribution to documenting Nigeria’s democratic journey from 1999 to 2023.
