IPAC Raises Concern Over Voter Revalidation Timing, ADC Crisis

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has expressed strong concerns over recent political and security developments in the country, urging caution and immediate action from relevant authorities.

In a press release issued in Abuja yesterday by IPAC’s national publicity secretary, Egbeola Wale Martins, the council highlighted three major issues: the proposed nationwide voter revalidation exercise by INEC, the handling of the leadership dispute within the ADC and the persistent killings in Plateau State.

IPAC acknowledged that periodic updates of the voter register were essential for strengthening Nigeria’s democracy. However, it warned that the timing of the proposed voter revalidation exercise could pose serious challenges.

According to the council, political parties are already grappling with multiple obligations under the Electoral Act, including nationwide membership registration with mandatory National Identification Number (NIN) verification, party primaries and verification and compliance assessments by INEC.

It cautioned that introducing an additional nationwide exercise without broad consultation and adequate preparation could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters.

“We urge INEC to reconsider the timing of the exercise to avoid an overly congested electoral environment that may exclude, rather than include, more citizens in the democratic process,” the statement said.

On the ADC leadership crisis, IPAC called on INEC to tread carefully in handling internal party disputes. The council stressed that contested leadership structures do not equate to a vacuum and warned against actions that could destabilize the political system.

It specifically referenced reports of the removal of names of David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from INEC’s official portal, describing the move as premature and potentially harmful.

IPAC cautioned that such actions, if not properly managed, could set a troubling precedent and undermine public confidence in the neutrality of the electoral body. It urged INEC to act with restraint, fairness, and strict adherence to due process in resolving intra-party conflicts.

The council also strongly condemned the ongoing killings in Plateau State, describing the violence as senseless and a grave threat to national unity and security.

It called on the federal government and security agencies to take urgent, decisive, and sustained measures to end the attacks, protect lives and property, and restore peace to affected communities.

IPAC further demanded that perpetrators and their sponsors be swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.

The council emphasised that Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive in an environment where electoral processes are transparent, political institutions remain stable, and citizens feel safe and protected.