The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, has expressed strong support for the ongoing constitution review exercise by the House of Representatives, calling for sweeping amendments to strengthen democracy, ensure credible elections, and guarantee inclusion ahead of the 2027 general polls.
IPAC Deputy Chairman, Dipo Olayokun, made the call at the consultative session organised by the House Committee on Constitution Review on Monday in Abuja.
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The meeting brought together national chairmen, secretaries, and women leaders of political parties to deliberate on key reform proposals.
Mr Olayokun, who represented the council’s National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, at the meeting, commended the leadership of the National Assembly for convening the session, describing it as “crucial to deepening democracy through judicial, electoral, and local government reforms.”
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He said IPAC has consistently championed constitutional and electoral amendments “to consolidate and strengthen the nation’s democracy” following flaws observed in every election cycle.
“As the platform that produces all elected public officers, IPAC is committed to ensuring that the electoral process is fair, transparent, and inclusive, and that all political parties are given a level playing field in electoral contests,” he said.
He urged that the current constitution review must produce amendments to take effect before the 2027 elections, adding that such reforms would enhance credibility, promote political stability, and reinforce democratic governance.
Key demands
Among its major proposals, IPAC called for the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and the transfer of responsibility for local government elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Politics is local, and citizens should be encouraged to actively participate in grassroots politics that guarantee free, fair, and credible local government elections,” the council said.
The council also proposed the removal of the President’s power to appoint INEC’s chairman and national commissioners, suggesting instead the creation of an Independent Appointment Committee (IAC).
The IAC, IPAC said, should comprise representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, the National Judicial Council, and a bipartisan committee of the National Assembly.
It further demanded the restoration of public funding for political parties to ensure fair competition and transparency in party finances, and supported the creation of an Electoral Offences Commission to prosecute electoral offenders.
Support for women’s inclusion, judicial reforms
Mr Dantalle said IPAC supports the proposal sponsored by Mr Kalu to reserve special seats for women in the National and State Assemblies, describing women’s representation as critical to an inclusive democracy.
He also backed reforms that would allow political parties to fill vacant seats arising from the death or defection of legislators without fresh elections, arguing that “such replacement will save costs and preserve voters’ mandates.”
IPAC further emphasised the need for strong judicial institutions and protection of human rights as “the foundation of a just and democratic society.”
Mr Dantalle expressed optimism that the consultative process would produce “the people’s constitution,” one that reflects Nigeria’s collective aspirations.
READ ALSO: INEC urges NASS to pass amendments to electoral legal framework
“It is hoped that participants in this meeting will thoroughly examine various reform proposals and make recommendations that will give Nigerians a people-driven constitution this time,” he said.
Appointment of INEC chair
The Nigerian Constitution empowers the president to appoint the INEC chairman in consultation with the Council of State and subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Section 154 (3) says, “In exercising his powers to appoint a person as Chairman or member of the Independent National Electoral Commission, National Judicial Council, the Federal Judicial Service Commission or the National Population Commission, the President shall consult the Council of State.”
Section 154 (1) says such appointments must be subject to confirmation by the Senate.
However, some people and organisations argued that such powers should not be exercised by the president because he is partisan.
The current INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, will be rounding off his tenure before the end of the year. President Bola Tinubu is expected to nominate another head for the commission, who will conduct the 2027 election.
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