By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has cautioned political merchants against meddling in the upcoming Rivers State local government elections, scheduled for October 5.

IPAC’s National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, addressed journalists in Abuja on Thursday, underscoring the necessity of conducting the elections without interference.

He criticized the high nomination fees designed to exclude credible candidates and expressed concerns about conflicting court orders and judgments that undermine the electoral process.

Dantalle highlighted that elections are the cornerstone of democracy, especially at the local government level, which is closest to the people.

He urged Nigerians to support sustainable democracy, emphasizing that the will of the people, as expressed through the ballot, must be respected.

IPAC also appealed to the new Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council to investigate and sanction errant judicial officers, citing concerns about the judiciary’s role in consolidating democracy.

The council reiterated its proposal to the National Assembly to abolish State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and have the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) oversee all local government elections.

Dantalle emphasized that IPAC will not allow political actors to undermine Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy and urged the people of Rivers State to vote en masse for candidates of their choice.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police and relevant security agencies to provide adequate security for the smooth conduct of the election.

IPAC stated, “Nigerians are united in their desire to foster sustainable democracy and development and will resist any attempt to subvert, truncate, or destabilize our hard-earned democracy. It is time for Nigerians to stand on the side of sustainable democracy.

“Elections are the essence of democracy, particularly at the third tier of government, which is closest to the people. Local Government elections must be supported and encouraged by all advocates of representative governance in Nigeria. It is time to deepen democracy at the Local Government level. Therefore, political parties in Nigeria will participate in the Rivers State Local Government election on Saturday, October 5, 2024. It is our civic right.

“For democracy to thrive, there must be a level playing field for all parties and their candidates. We maintain that it is inappropriate to change the rules and goalposts in the middle of the game or take undue advantage of fellow contestants. Electoral integrity cannot be compromised for any reason. Elections cannot be halted by judicial fiat in favour of political actors, jobbers, and hirelings pursuing their ambitions.

“It would be unfair, unjust, and unacceptable to repeat this national nightmare at the local government election level as seen in Rivers State, where some reactionary forces are determined to stop the election scheduled for this weekend. Unfortunately, there have been conflicting court orders for and against the local Government election in the State and forum shopping by desperate politicians.

“The integrity of the judiciary is at stake as the temple of justice and bastion of democracy. The Rivers State Local Government election presents an opportunity for the Judiciary to purge itself of political influence and justify the confidence Nigerians have in it. IPAC calls on the new Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council to thoroughly investigate and sanction errant Judicial Officers. This will go a long way in redeeming the battered image of the Judiciary in its handling of political matters, especially elections at all levels.

“The will of the people as expressed in the ballot must be respected. All States that have yet to conduct local government elections should expedite action to do so. We will continue nurturing democracy and deepening its roots to yield benefits for the long-suffering citizens who desire and deserve the dividends of democracy to alleviate the economic hardship the country faces today.”

Above all, the umbrella body of all political parties noted that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has assured that the election will be free, fair, credible, transparent, peaceful, and inclusive, stressing that political parties have submitted their nomination forms and complied with guidelines.