Defecting Lawmakers Are Political Robbers – IPAC

The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has said the cross carpeting by elected lawmakers without cogent reasons should be outrightly abrogated, stressing that those who decamped after winning elections on the platforms of other political parties should lose their seats.

“It is political robbery, unfair, unjust and impedes the nation’s democracy,” the advisory body said.

This was contained in a speech delivered by the IPAC national chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, at the 1st South South IPAC leadership conference with the theme, “Good Governance and Security As Panacea For Grassroots Development,” held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday.

Dantalle said to further strengthen our electoral process, all election petitions must be disposed of by various tribunals and appeal courts before swearing in of winners as obtainable in other democratic nations, adding that the council has set up a Constitution and Electoral Act Amendments Committee that will proffer comprehensive proposals to be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration.

“As a major stakeholder in the democratic process, IPAC, as the umbrella body of all registered political parties is committed to sanitise, consolidate, deepen and strengthen the nation’s constitutional rule.  This will foster security, good governance, grassroots development and sustainable democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

He said the conference is an eloquent testimony of the new IPAC he promised to usher in when he was elected as the Council’s national chairman along with other national officers on December 18, 2023, by being proactive and people-oriented, with strong determination to consolidate and deepen democracy, ensure an environment conducive for successful elections, political stability, good governance and overall well-being of Nigerians.

“IPAC stands as a beacon of hope for fostering cooperation, dialogue, and mutual understanding among political parties. In constitutional democracy like ours, the strength and vibrancy of political parties are crucial pillars upon which the edifice of governance stands. It is imperative that we continuously strive to enhance the capacity and inclusivity of political parties ensuring they remain true representatives of the diverse voices and aspirations of our populace,” he said.

He noted that the theme of the conference is timely and appropriate today as the nation faces enormous security, socio-economic  and political challenges due to failure of elected public officers over the years to comply with  Chapter 2, Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

On citizens’ participation, Dantalle, who is also national chairman of Allied People’s Movement (APM) said when citizens fail to participate actively in their government and hold public officers accountable, the consequence is poor leadership and bad governance.

“Citizens’ participation in government is fundamental to delivery of dividends of democracy as obtainable in developed democracies. That is why their governments work for their people or be voted out in subsequent elections, and leaders who breached the laws are investigated, prosecuted and jailed if found guilty to serve as a deterrent to others.

“Good governance therefore starts with electing competent, resourceful, visionary and pragmatic leaders in free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections. Election is the beauty of democracy. It is the reason IPAC emphasises the need for transparent polls and mobilises eligible voters to register and exercise their franchise in all elections,” he said.

He urged all voters in the forthcoming Edo and Ondo states gubernatorial elections to turn up en masse to vote and ensure their votes are counted and count in the overall results.

“Council also urges INEC to provide a level playing field to all the political parties and their candidates participating in the Edo and Ondo governorship polls and ensure that all election materials and equipment are adequate, tested and in good condition to avoid undue hitches and glitches that could mar the polls. The electorate should shun vote buying and selling, violence and rigging. Citizens should not mortgage their destiny for a mess of electoral porridge and spend the next four years lamenting of hardship and bad governance. We must make our democracy work and hold governments at all levels accountable. It is the essence of democracy,” he added.

He advocated for local government autonomy as the government closest to the people, saying that it is obvious that politics is local and for the rapid development of the third tier of government, its autonomy is imperative.

“IPAC also advocates that INEC should conduct all local government elections, and the scrapping of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs). Some political parties which could not win national elections could have won local government polls if the elections were free and fair thus, foster the nation’s democracy and bring rapid development to rural areas,” he added.