The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to restructure its timetable to ensure the 2027 general elections do not commence with the presidential, but the state Houses of Assembly.
The party said the commission’s current timetable, which indicates that the general elections commence with the presidential poll, is not logical and should be reviewed.
The ADP National Organising Secretary, Dr. Alex Maiyanga stated this yesterday during a one-day dialogue on inclusive practices of political parties in Nigeria, organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in conjunction with Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) in Abuja.
Maiyanga said reviewing the timetable would help small parties to have better outings at elections.
“One would wonder where INEC sat and decided that the presidential election should come first. What is the logic? INEC should restructure its timetable for elections. INEC should give a second thought to it,” he said.
The National Welfare Officer of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Prince Chinedu Obi, also said INEC is not doing enough in ensuring that political parties implement what is in their constitution and manifestoes, arguing that the issue of inclusiveness in parties has to do with the membership of the party among others.
Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani said Nigeria must de-emphasise ethnic and religious politics to deepen democracy in the country.
The NILDS Director, Democracy and Governance, Dr. Adewale Aderemi said the institute has signed a pact with IPAC to strengthen political parties’ inclusive practices and especially in the areas of inclusion of women, youths and people with disabilities.
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