The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned that ongoing leadership crises and litigation within political parties threaten to disrupt Nigeria’s electoral timetable, placing a strain on the commission’s resources. This follows a sharp rebuttal from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), which argues that INEC’s own perceived lack of impartiality is the primary cause of voter apathy.
Speaking at a technical workshop in Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday, INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan stated the commission is troubled by “unnecessary litigations” stemming from internal party disputes. He announced that revised 2026 regulations will enforce stricter benchmarks for membership documentation, financial transparency, and the inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities during party primaries. The guidelines aim to reduce internal conflicts by ensuring parties adhere to established rules.
In a separate statement, NNPP National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson acknowledged that legal battles involving parties do consume INEC’s time and resources as a frequent party to the suits. However, he pivoted to a more fundamental critique. Johnson contended that the “existential threat” to Nigerian democracy is not intra-party friction but a “plummeting level of trust” in the electoral process itself. He asserted that widespread public perception of INEC’s complicity in subverting the popular will is the main driver of voter apathy, not administrative disputes between parties.
The NNPP spokesperson urged INEC to prioritize demonstrating “absolute transparency” and proving its role as an “unbiased arbiter.” He maintained that while parties must improve internal democracy, restoring public confidence in the sanctity of the vote is a prerequisite for increasing voter participation.
The exchange highlights a deep-seated tension: INEC’s focus on procedural enforcement and reducing operational burdens versus political parties’ demands for the commission to first address a purported crisis of credibility. With the 2027 electoral cycle approaching, both the commission’s regulatory reforms and its perceived neutrality are poised to remain central to Nigeria’s democratic discourse. The effectiveness of the new guidelines in curbing intra-party disputes, and INEC’s ability to rebuild public trust, will be critical factors for the next election cycle.
