By Our Reporter
Barely months before Nigeria’s political parties begin preparations for the 2027 general elections, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has issued one of his strongest warnings yet to the nation’s political class, declaring that the credibility of the next elections will depend largely on whether political parties reform their internal processes or continue with what he described as opaque and undemocratic candidate selection.
In a far-reaching intervention that could shape ongoing electoral reform debates, the INEC boss insisted that Nigeria’s recurring election disputes are largely self-inflicted by political parties through flawed primaries, imposition of candidates and persistent disregard for their own constitutions.
Addressing a distinguished gathering in Abuja at the public presentation of Shadows: Protest Essays on Africa’s Most Consequential Country (1999–2023), a two-volume publication authored by Eniola Bello, Amupitan argued that credible elections do not begin on election day but with transparent and inclusive party primaries.
According to him, political parties remain the weakest link in Nigeria’s democratic process because many fail to uphold the principles of internal democracy expected of institutions that seek to govern the country.
He warned that the continued imposition of candidates, manipulation of party nomination processes and violation of party rules have become major triggers of the endless pre-election court cases that often overshadow the electoral calendar.
The INEC Chairman stressed that unless political parties embrace transparent and participatory primaries that give members a genuine voice in choosing candidates, the country will continue to witness avoidable legal battles capable of eroding public confidence in elections.
In what appears to be a major proposal for electoral reform ahead of 2027, Amupitan advocated an amendment to the Electoral Act that would compel political parties to complete all candidate nominations at least one year before general elections.
He argued that early completion of primaries would allow sufficient time for disputes arising from nominations to be resolved before campaigns gather momentum, thereby reducing the burden of litigation that frequently distracts the Commission from its constitutional responsibility of organizing elections.
According to him, many of the legal disputes associated with elections actually originate from disagreements among party members over nominations rather than from the conduct of voting itself.
The INEC Chairman maintained that strengthening Nigeria’s democracy requires political parties to become more accountable, law-abiding and transparent in managing their internal affairs.
Beyond reforms within political parties, Amupitan also renewed calls for greater institutional independence for the electoral commission itself, insisting that genuine electoral credibility cannot be achieved if the Commission remains financially constrained.
Although the Constitution provides that INEC’s funding is placed on a first-line charge, he lamented that the Commission still operates within the conventional annual budgetary system, a development he said limits operational efficiency and undermines the independence expected of an electoral management body.
To address the challenge, he proposed that INEC’s funding should be drawn directly from the Federation Account, arguing that such an arrangement would enable the Commission to discharge critical constitutional responsibilities—including voter registration, regulation of political parties and election management—without bureaucratic delays.
Amupitan further stressed that institutional independence extends beyond financial provisions, saying Nigeria must build stronger democratic institutions anchored on ethical leadership, respect for the rule of law and unwavering commitment to constitutional governance.
He maintained that free, fair and peaceful elections in 2027 would require collective responsibility from political parties, government institutions, civil society, the judiciary, the media and citizens alike.
Also speaking at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Aliyu Modibbo, underscored the importance of accountability in democratic governance.
According to the Vice President, democracy flourishes when governments remain open to criticism and responsive to the aspirations of the people.
He described journalism, literature and civic engagement as indispensable pillars of democratic development, noting that governments that ignore citizens’ voices ultimately risk losing public trust and legitimacy.
The colourful event attracted an array of eminent personalities, including senior government officials, members of the judiciary, diplomats, media executives, academics and civil society leaders, who gathered to celebrate Bello’s literary contribution to chronicling Nigeria’s democratic evolution from 1999 to 2023.
Political observers believe Amupitan’s intervention has injected fresh urgency into ongoing conversations about electoral reforms, particularly as parties begin positioning for what promises to be another fiercely contested general election in 2027.
With pressure mounting on lawmakers to revisit the Electoral Act and political parties facing renewed scrutiny over their internal processes, the INEC Chairman’s message was unmistakable: Nigeria cannot conduct credible elections unless political parties first embrace credible democracy within their own ranks.
, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has issued one of his strongest warnings yet to the nation's political class, declaring that the credibility of the next elections will depend largely on whether political parties reform their internal processes or continue with what he described as opaque and undemocratic candidate selection.){kind=link}