INEC to CSOs: Scrutinize Party Primaries, LG Polls to Deepen Democracy

• INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu urges Civil Society Organizations to monitor political parties and electoral commissions to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy
• Yakubu emphasizes the importance of credible party primaries, stating that flawed primaries negatively impact the overall electoral process in Nigeria

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has urged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to closely monitor the activities of political parties and State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to strengthen democracy and enhance the electoral process in Nigeria.

Prof. Yakubu appealed when a coalition of civil society organizations under the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, led by its convener, Mr. Yinusa Z. Ya’u, visited the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

While commending the civil society community for its contributions to improving Nigeria’s democratic processes and elections, Prof. Yakubu emphasized the need for CSOs to engage other stakeholders to foster greater commitment to democracy.

He stated, “No matter what INEC does, if other actors are not ready to play by the rules or in sync, we’ll continue to face challenges.”

Prof. Yakubu highlighted the need for adjustments by various stakeholders in the electoral process and pointed out that CSOs have been instrumental in bringing about positive changes. However, he also noted that civil society organizations sometimes remain quiet about certain elections, such as local government polls.

The INEC Chairman underscored the significance of credible party primaries, arguing that flawed primaries can negatively affect the entire electoral process. He explained, “The most important process is the primaries conducted by political parties. It is the candidates they present that we put on the ballot. Citizens can only choose from the candidates presented by political parties.”

Prof. Yakubu also expressed concern over the perceived lack of CSO engagement with conducting local government elections by SIECs, stating, “Elections are conducted at the local government level by the SIECs, and they declare all the candidates of the ruling party winners. Yet, we don’t hear anything from the civil society.”