“Yakubu Calls for Transparent Primaries to Strengthen Nigeria’s Democracy”
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, issued a stern warning on Thursday about the dangers posed by political parties’ failure to uphold internal democracy, stressing that such failures undermine Nigeria’s electoral credibility.
Speaking at the launch of the book “Celebrating 100 Years of Political Party Evolution in Nigeria: The Imperatives of Nigeria’s Political Stability – Issues and Solutions”, organized by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Yakubu emphasized that democracy must begin within political parties. He pointed out that the lack of transparent, fair, and credible primaries has led to numerous disputes, legal challenges, and electoral instability in Nigeria.
“For democracy to thrive, political parties must practise democracy internally. When parties fail to hold credible primaries, it damages the entire electoral system,” Yakubu remarked. He urged political leaders to ensure their candidate selection processes are free from manipulation, favouritism, and imposition, warning that any deviation would erode public trust in the electoral process.
Yakubu reminded the audience that political parties are the backbone of Nigeria’s democracy, noting that no candidate can run for office without party endorsement. He emphasized that political parties must not only adhere to constitutional and electoral guidelines but also play an active role in promoting leadership recruitment based on merit and democratic values.
“One of the key responsibilities of political parties is conducting credible primary elections. Internal party democracy is the foundation upon which credible general elections are built,” Yakubu said. He further explained that effective leadership recruitment is achievable only when eligible candidates are selected through transparent and fair party primaries.
He stressed that when political parties respect democratic principles within their internal processes, it enhances public confidence in the electoral system and strengthens the country’s democratic governance. Unfortunately, Yakubu lamented, the absence of internal democracy has led to frequent electoral disputes, court cases, and instability.
Looking ahead to future elections, Yakubu called on political parties to strengthen their internal governance and ensure their processes reflect the true will of their members. “A democratic society begins with democratic political parties,” he declared.
The INEC Chairman also highlighted the ongoing need for electoral reforms, revealing that the commission is working closely with the National Assembly to review key aspects of the electoral process. He urged political actors to advocate for legislative amendments that would promote transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in the electoral system.
“We recognize that electoral reforms are not the sole responsibility of INEC or the National Assembly. Political parties, civil society, and all Nigerians must work together to support legislative changes that will strengthen our democracy,” Yakubu emphasized.
He concluded by acknowledging the valuable collaboration between INEC and IPAC, commending the council’s role in fostering dialogue between political parties and the electoral body. However, he stressed that more work was needed to align Nigeria’s democracy with global best practices.
Yakubu’s message was clear: political parties must take responsibility for the credibility of election outcomes, and their commitment to transparency, fairness, and inclusiveness will ultimately determine the success of Nigeria’s democracy.
