IPAC Proposes Independent Panel for INEC Appointments, Seeks End to State Electoral Commissions

The umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria, Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), has backed 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.

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.”

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.

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).

IPAC said the IAC 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.