Kebbi State chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, has urged political parties yet to conduct congresses, as well as those that have concluded theirs, to ensure strict compliance with Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, guidelines and constitutional provisions ahead of party primaries.
The call was made in a statement on Wednesday by the Kebbi State IPAC Chairman, Faruku Garba, NATO, who stressed the need for transparent and credible congresses to strengthen internal democracy within political parties.
Garba said prompt, genuine, and impartial congresses serve as a “litmus test” for credible primary elections, noting that internal party democracy remains key to producing quality leadership.
According to him, “good leaders are produced through fair congresses,” adding that credible processes are essential tools political parties can use to achieve success in elections.
He warned that poorly conducted congresses often lead to litigation, which could jeopardise parties’ chances at the polls and create avoidable tensions within the democratic system.
Garba also urged all political parties in Kebbi State and across Nigeria to ensure their internal activities comply strictly with INEC laws and guidelines.
“We watch closely as events unfold in political party congresses, and we admonish them to ensure seamless congresses to avoid political rancour, or parties may risk being delisted for refusing to follow laid down rules provided in the constitution and INEC,” he said.