IPAC says INEC guidelines cannot override constitution

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has welcomed the Federal High Court judgment affirming the supremacy of the constitution over administrative electoral guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The National Publicity Secretary of IPAC, Martins Egbeola, made this known in a statement he issued to newsmen on Friday.

Egbeola said the ruling would prevent exclusionary conditions capable of disenfranchising aspirants and party members during primaries.

The council said the judgment was a reaffirmation of constitutional supremacy, democratic principles and the rule of law within Nigeria’s electoral process.

“It is an aberration for INEC to attempt rewriting the Constitution through administrative guidelines. INEC guidelines cannot supersede constitutional provisions or extant electoral laws,” it said.

According to the IPAC spokesman, although INEC possesses powers to issue election guidelines, such powers must operate strictly within constitutional provisions and electoral laws.

Egbeola said the judgment represented a major victory for democracy, political parties and citizens participating in Nigeria’s electoral process.

He noted that the ruling restored the constitutional rights of political parties to manage their internal affairs democratically without unlawful interference through administrative directives.

The IPAC spokesman added that the judgment would ensure equal opportunities for eligible members to participate in party primaries without discriminatory or exclusionary conditions.

He also urged the Chairman of INEC to deepen engagement and consultation with political parties on issues concerning electoral administration and reforms.

According to him, greater dialogue and collaboration between INEC and political parties would help prevent avoidable disputes and litigation arising from controversial guidelines.