Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has unveiled a strategic action plan aimed at deepening democracy in Nigeria over the next four years.
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It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a level-playing field for all political parties and their candidates, emphasising the importance of voter accreditation and real-time transmission of results through the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal.

Meanwhile, some female politicians are regrouping under the banner of Network of Female Politicians For More (NFP4More), to ensure that more women are elected into political office.

Speaking at the unveiling in Abuja, yesterday, the National Chairman of IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle, called on Nigerians to actively participate in the nation-building process.

He highlighted the council’s plan to establish a Committee on Constitution and Electoral Act Amendment, which will propose necessary changes to the National Assembly as part of the ongoing constitution and Electoral Act review.
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Dantalle said: “Today, we are here to unveil and launch this momentous Strategic Plan of Action that will accelerate the political development of the country, as members of the council are leaders of their political parties, which produced all the elected public officers.

“The strategic plan will have a spiral effect in the nation’s democratic space, more importantly, as citizens are facing hard times and disillusioned over economic stagnation, insecurity and lack of confidence in government at all levels.”

In continuation of its robust relationship with the Chinese Embassy, IPAC, The Guardian gathered, held a New Year engagement at its national secretariat, where it canvassed more support and strengthening of existing relationships, which opened up vistas of opportunity for new slots of international capacity building for party leaders. It also participated in the China New Year celebration in Abuja.
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The council added: “The need for visionary, purposeful, resourceful, progressive leadership and vibrant democratic institutions cannot be overemphasised in our march to sustainable democracy, prosperity and greatness. It is a collective task in the quest for a strong, virile, united and equitable democratic society.

“With the lessons from the 2023 general elections, supplementary polls, off-cycle governorship elections and by-elections, Nigerians demand and deserve free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful Edo and Ondo states’ gubernatorial elections.”

Dantalle said the effective implementation of the innovations would restore confidence in the electoral process and strengthen citizens’ faith in the country’s democracy, particularly leading up to the 2027 general election.
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NFP4MORE, birthed by BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) dedicated to the promotion and protection of women and women organisations, was launched in Abuja, yesterday.

Interim chairperson of the network, Olubunmi Adelugba, while addressing journalists, said the network would ensure increased women’s political representation and leadership in Nigeria as well as serve as a support system for women in the political sector as 2027 approaches.

The former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly lamented that despite concerted efforts by non-state actors to increase the level of participation of women in politics, in line with many international declarations, the yawning gap in the ratio of women in governance persists.

“This is a growing concern for well-meaning Nigerians, whether state or non-state actors,” she said.

She recalled that about 95.9 per cent of male lawmakers at the ninth National Assembly had voted against bills aimed at ensuring gender justice through the advancement of the rights of Nigerian women as full citizens.

Deputy Executive Director, BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights, Anne Lawal, called for the domestication of the Maputo Protocol to ensure the inclusion of women at all levels.
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