INEC Warns Parties Against Flawed Primaries, Says Internal Crises Fuel Election Litigations

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan, has raised concerns over the growing crisis of internal democracy within Nigeria’s political parties, warning that poor primary elections are responsible for numerous court cases and weak election outcomes.

Speaking at a technical workshop on the revision of INEC regulations and guidelines for political parties in Ikot Ekpene, Amupitan revealed that billions of naira have been spent on litigations resulting from internal party disputes.

He noted that candidates produced through flawed or non-transparent primaries often struggle during general elections, adding that such practices also discourage voter participation.

As political parties prepare for their primary elections scheduled between April 23 and May 30, 2026, the INEC chairman stressed the need to ensure fairness and transparency in the process.

According to him, forcing unpopular candidates on voters through manipulated primaries can lead to voter apathy and a surge in pre-election lawsuits.

Amupitan also expressed concern that many political parties are increasingly plagued by leadership crises and infighting, which threaten to turn them into “theatres of permanent strife” instead of institutions that promote national development.

He explained that these internal conflicts often spill into the courts, where INEC is frequently joined in lawsuits that could have been avoided if parties simply adhered to their constitutions.

The INEC boss added that the time spent defending such cases in court distracts the commission from its primary responsibility of planning and conducting elections.

To address these issues, Amupitan said the 2026 guidelines will introduce stricter rules on party membership documentation, financial transparency, and the inclusion of women, youths, and persons with disabilities in party activities.

He urged stakeholders at the workshop to help develop practical strategies that will strengthen internal democracy and encourage peaceful dispute resolution within political parties.

Amupitan emphasized that political parties must evolve beyond being mere platforms for elections and become stable democratic institutions that promote dialogue, unity, and accountability.

Meanwhile, the Country Director of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in Nigeria, Adebowale Olorunmola, said the workshop was organized to review party regulations following the passage of the Electoral Act 2026.

He explained that the initiative aims to bridge the gap between the provisions of the new law and the everyday operations of political parties, ensuring they become stronger democratic institutions.

Olorunmola added that the collaboration between WFD and INEC is also driven by the Political Parties Performance Index (PPPI), an initiative designed to promote transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability within political parties across the country.