IPAC Warns INEC Over ADC Crisis, Voter Revalidation Plan

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reconsider its recent decision in the leadership dispute within the African Democratic Congress, cautioning that failure to do so could trigger a credibility crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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The council also expressed concern over the timing of a proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise and condemned the continued killings in Plateau State.

The position was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the IPAC National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Egbeola Wale Martins.

Reacting to the ongoing crisis in the ADC, IPAC warned that certain actions by the electoral body could escalate tensions within the political space.

“The reported removal of the names of Distinguished Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola from INEC’s official portal appears premature and capable of creating avoidable instability within the polity.

“If not carefully managed, such actions may set a troubling precedent and undermine confidence in the neutrality of the electoral umpire,” the council said.

The council noted that leadership disputes within political parties should not be interpreted as a vacuum in party structures.

“In cases of internal party disagreements, it must be clearly understood that leadership structures, even when contested, do not amount to a vacuum,” IPAC added.

IPAC also raised concerns about the timing of INEC’s proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise.

According to the council, the plan could overburden political parties and potentially disenfranchise millions of eligible voters if implemented without proper consultation.

“The timing of the proposed Nationwide Voter Revalidation Exercise raises serious concerns.

“At a period when critical stakeholders, especially political parties, are already burdened with numerous obligations arising from the new Electoral Act, introducing an additional nationwide exercise without broad consultation risks disenfranchising millions of eligible voters,” the statement said.

The council urged the electoral body to reconsider the schedule in order to avoid creating an overly congested electoral process.

“We therefore urge INEC to reconsider the timing of the exercise to prevent an overly congested electoral environment that may ultimately exclude, rather than include, more citizens in the democratic process,” IPAC said.

IPAC also condemned the persistent violence in Plateau State, describing the killings as senseless and dangerous to national unity.

“These senseless acts of violence are unacceptable and pose a serious threat to national unity and security,” the council said.

“It is imperative that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes, along with their sponsors, are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.”

The council stressed that Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive when elections are credible, institutions remain stable, and citizens feel secure enough to participate fully in the democratic process.