The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the schedule of activities for political party primaries by two months to enable them to have enough time for primary and post-primary elections crisis resolution.

National Chairman of IPAC, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani, made the appeal in Abuja during an interactive session with INEC as parts of activities toward 2023 general election.

IPAC is the umbrella body of Nigeria’s political parties.

Sani contended that the Christian Lenten Season and Muslim Ramadan Fasting have slowed down party activities, hence the need for the extension to give them enough time for the exercise.

Sani said: “In summary, the General Assembly of IPAC, after an exhaustive examination of the INEC timetable and related issues, arrived at a unanimous decision to request for an extension of 37 days to the deadline of the time frame for the conduct of party primaries and resolution of conflicts arising from the primaries.

“By implication, the IPAC leadership is appealing to the INEC to extend the deadline for the conduct of party primaries and resolution of ensuing conflicts from the present INEC given date of 3rd June, 2022 to the 4th of August 2022.”

He added: “The Christian Lenten season and the Muslim fasting in the month of Ramadan respectively followed by the celebrations of Easter and Eid El Fitr, (Sallah), in which the vast majority of party members were involved. The developments inevitably, therefore, greatly disrupted planned activities and programmes of the political parties, leading to the loss of about two weeks out of the allotted time of the timetable.

“It is also, noteworthy that, the scenario was the first time that the two major events in the Christian and Muslim calendars would be occurring around the period of general election.”

INEC to parties: We won’t extend timetable for 2023 polls

The IPAC Chairman further noted that the parties are preoccupied with preparations for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun States.

He insisted that the time allotted to parties to conclude primary elections with efficient and effective screening is too short considering the number of aspirants jostling for party tickets across political parties.

He maintained that IPAC is committed to supporting reforms and commitment of the electoral umpire for successful polls in 2023.

Sani said IPAC’s demand for an adjustment of the primary elections would not tamper with the dates of 2023 general election.

“We are, however, of the considered view that our request is not, in any way, tantamount to an infringement or, a breach of any extant laws and provisions. This is because, the alterations that we are demanding, will not affect the statutory dates already fixed for the conduct of the 2023 general election,” he said.

He recalled that during 2019 elections, INEC shifted the date of election in some parts of the country and that did not affect the outcome of the election.

The IPAC Chairman further noted that the request for the extension by 18 registered political parties under the IPAC is in the best interest of the Nigeria’s democracy and electoral process.

The Star