Influx Of Parties: IPAC National Chairman Advocates Setup Of Parties Registration Commission

Perturbed by the numbers of registered political parties and its attendant shortcomings in Nigeria, the National President, Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria, (IPAC) Chief Peter Ameh on Thursday advocated the establishment of Political Party/ Registration Commission.

He spoke at the annual Democracy Lecture with the theme “2019 General Elections in Nigeria Post Mortem: Curbing Electoral Challenges: Panacea to Democratic Values” organised by Osun state chapter of IPAC.

Chief Ameh who insisted that there is too much work load on the electoral body noted that when issues such as registration of political parties, funding,monitoring and discipline of political parties among others are removed from INEC, the electoral body will be able to deal with its primary assignment squarely.

He also said that for a credible and acceptable elections that would reinforce retrenchment of democracy in Nigeria, electronic transmission of results is inevitable for future elections.

According to him, there will be less litigations if and when electronic voting and electronic transmission of results are incorporated into our electoral process.

Ameh who also called for electoral reform that would encourage conducive atmosphere for credible election added that all registered political parties under the umbrella of IPAC should unite to make democracy flourish in Nigeria.

Speaking, Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola who was represented by the Secretary to the State government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji noted that electoral challenges are inevitable because our democracy is a young one and are therefore understandable especially given the nation’s heterogeneous configuration.

He urged participants to brainstorm and proffer solution to our electoral challenges which according to him will form the foundation for building strong democratic values necessary to erect a peaceful prosperous and developed nation.

In his welcome address, IPAC Chairman, Osun State chapter, Prince Bello Adebayo commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant stakeholders for the success of 2019 general elections.

He urged Osun State governor to provide good governance and embrace all inclusive government he profess.

In his lecture, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commission, Dr. Olusegun Agbaje identified funding as a major challenge to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) adding that late release of funds to the electoral body affects logistics.

He noted that the attendant bureaucracy in releasing funds to INEC should be relaxed because according to him, when funds are released late, it affects logistics.

According to him, amendment to the electoral act is inevitable so that some hindrance to easy electoral process might be removed to ensure acceptable results.

He urged politicians to change their attitudes to politicking adding that election should not be a do or die affairs.