As preparations are on top gear towards the 2023 polls in Nigeria, political parties in the acclaimed Africa’s giant had stated that the coming general elections were critical to sustaining the country’s democracy, just as the United Nations (UN) had expressed worry over voter apathy being currently observed.
These views were expressed on Tuesday when the UN Electoral Needs Assessment Mission (ENAM) met with the leadership of the 18 registered political parties on the platform of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
The leader of the UN delegation and head of mission, Mr. Serge Gakwandi Kubwimana notified the gathering that they were in Nigeria to assess the level of preparations for next year’s election and the areas the UN’s ENAM would provide support.
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He said the delegation would consult with members of the National Assembly, security agencies and the political parties on the preparation and the challenges for the impending elections.
Mr. Kubwimana, who raised the concern over the low level of voter participation in previous elections in the country, however enthused that Nigeria was quite experienced in electoral matters and had introduced some reforms in the electoral process.
He explained that the UN Mission renders technical assistance by strengthening the capacity of the relevant organs for any election.
In his welcome address, the National Secretary of IPAC, Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, said the Council would need the assistance of the UN Electoral Mission in capacity building of political party leaders to equip them for transformational leadership and enhance parties’ internal recruitment process, which would produce credible leaders with the people’s mandate to govern.
Alhaji Dantalle, who stood in for the National Chairman of IPAC, also informed that the Council would embark on massive sensitisation, advocacy, enlightenment and mobilisation of the electorate at grassroots level across the country towards addressing the level of apathy among the voters.
He said free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive, peaceful and acceptable elections are the beauty and bedrock of democracy. Hence, further stated, “The forthcoming general election is critical for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
“We are pleased that a delegation of the United Nations Electoral Needs Assessment Mission led by Mr. Serge Gakwandi Kubwimana is in Nigeria to have an on-the-spot assessment of our preparation for this critical general election.
“The success of the elections will be a defining moment for our fellow compatriots who desire and yearn for transformational, visionary, progressive, purposeful and resourceful leaders who will restore Nigeria as the great arsenal of democracy in Africa.
He went ahead to assert, “As the umbrella body of the 18 registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC played a major role to ensure the 2022 Electoral Act Amendment Bill that would provide the legal framework for the general election was passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“It added value to the electoral process with the adoption of an improved technology, the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and uploading of election results in the INEC’s Result Viewing portal (IReV) when voting ends and votes are counted at polling units on election day, among others.
“The Council will continue to engage stakeholders particularly the National Assembly for further reform of the electoral process including the scrapping of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), as Nigerians have lost confidence in their ability to conduct free, fair, credible and inclusive elections at the grassroots level.
The IPAC leader opined that polls conducted by various SIECs in the country were mere charades with predetermined outcomes that make mockery of Nigeria’s democratic encounter.
Therefore assured that IPAC would boycott these electoral jamborees by state governments in power, which have impeded the nation’s democratic advancement at the grassroots, hence demanded that their functions be carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as he added that the IPAC supports Local Government autonomy as the third tier of government closest to the people.
In my opinion, if the IPAC is truly ready and prepared to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria come 2023, it must go beyond partisanship in its daily struggle as regards the polls.
It’s noteworthy that aside from the UN, other international bodies are willing to partner with any concerned and relevant entity in regard to the awaited general elections, but it’s imperative to express the need for the local bodies to remain neutral and non-partisan as they carry out the national assignment.
Hence, for the impending 2023 polls to result in a wholesome outcome, all hands are expected to impartially be on deck as the odyssey progresses.