The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos State, Nigeria, has emphasized the critical need for an improved electoral system. IPAC’s Chairman, Olusegun Mobolaji, stated that elections must be conducted without the presence of political party agents. In a recent interview, he highlighted the pressing issues of money politics and the compromised nature of elections due to party monitoring.
Mobolaji urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to devise strategies that would ensure transparent and credible elections without the necessity of party agents. He stressed the detrimental impact of compromised elections at various polling units and wards, emphasizing that some political parties lack the financial capacity to deploy monitoring agents.
He expressed a vision for the future of Nigerian elections, stating, “We should get to a point in 2027 in this country where elections are conducted without political parties’ agents.” Mobolaji underscored the importance of an electoral umpire that is fair to all parties and can conduct polls without external monitoring.
Furthermore, Mobolaji called for a process where INEC can independently oversee elections, free from external influence. He emphasized the significance of credible, unbiased elections, stating, “Let people vote while INEC counts as it is, without being influenced by any agents.” He stressed that such measures would make a substantial difference and reduce issues such as vote buying and manipulation.
Addressing the challenges faced by opposition parties, Mobolaji attributed their poor performance in elections to the pervasive impact of money politics. He also serves as the Deputy Chairman of the Young Progressive Party in Lagos State.
In summary, IPAC’s stance underscores the urgent need for electoral reform and the establishment of a reliable and unbiased electoral process in Nigeria.
By adhering to these principles, the hope is to foster confidence in the electoral process and reduce the influence of money politics, ultimately ensuring a fair and equitable democratic system in Nigeria.
