BANYO TEMITAYO
DETERMINED to build the needed ethical democratic culture in the politics of Nigeria, the Central Management Committee of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria, at its first joint National and States Assembly, resolved to set up a committee to probe the use of the resources earmarked annually for the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The Council said in spite of the huge budgetary allocation to INEC yearly, the quality and general outcome of all elections in the country remained depressing.
IPAC also queried the motive behind what it described as INEC’s desperate moves to control the Council.
A communique at the end of the joint meeting, signed by the Acting President, Ralphs Nwosu; and Acting Secretary General, Adekunle OmoAje, said the outcome and integrity of elections had become subject of unending adjudication in election tribunals across the country, high courts, appeal courts and the Supreme Court at high cost to the government, political parties and candidates.
“Irrespective of the homonguous amount spent on INEC and the goodwill of both local and international agencies, the nation’s judiciary are overstretched with election-related cases to the detriment of all other matters; economy, business, security and governance in the country,” it said.
The communique listed the Chairman of the probe committee as San Turaki, and Secretary as Kehinde Edun.
“In addition, the committee is mandated to look into INEC’s interference and culpability of its officials in the internal crisis engulfing political parties for many years. Also, the Agency’s motives in desperately wanting to be in control of the council of political parties, IPAC,” it added.
The communique read, “The Joint Council approved the plan of action, training modules, conferences, seminars and summits as proposed by the Chief Nwosu-led CMC.
“That the leadership of IPAC continues to work to advance multi-Party democracy and respect for rule of law. Therefore should continue to ensure that the Nigerian State does not fall into a one-party State.
“Approval was given to set up the State Management Committees (SMC) comprising the last elected members and/or others selected due to capacity to oversee and run the affairs of the Council in each State of the federation and the FCT at the expiration of the current tenures of all State Executives. The SMC are to serve for 3 months and liaise with the national body to conduct elections as appropriate.
“The joint Assembly condemned INEC’s shenanigans regarding some political parties as contemptuous and irresponsible, and reaffirmed its recognition of all 23 political parties whose corporate legal statuses have been restored through Court Judgements in ACD & 21ORS V. AGF & ANOR and Youth Party V. INEC.
“They remain bonafide and substantive members of the Council, as well as the 18 parties. The Council further resolved to continue to respect judgments of the courts in matters regarding political parties and all others without cherry picking.”
