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The National Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, has called for sweeping constitutional and electoral reforms to guarantee credible, transparent and inclusive elections ahead of the 2027 general polls. He made this declaration while delivering a keynote speech at the official launch of the National Movement for Electoral Reforms with the theme “Critical and Perfect Constitutional Amendments for Credible Elections in 2027,” on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

Addressing participants, Dr. Dantalle described the event as both historic and symbolic, coinciding with Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary. He noted that the gathering served as a reminder of the country’s long democratic journey that began with several constitutional conferences before and after independence.

He praised the resilience of Nigerians in sustaining democratic governance despite the nation’s economic, political and security challenges, stressing that 26 years of uninterrupted democracy since 1999 remains significant in the quest for stronger constitutional governance.

“It is a great honour to be part of this important dialogue on Constitution and Electoral Act amendments that will further consolidate, deepen and strengthen the nation’s democratic process,” Dantalle said. “Each election cycle has its peculiar challenges that require constitutional and electoral act amendments. This is in consonance with global best practices as there is no perfect electoral process. We will keep reviewing and reforming the nation’s democratic process until we get it right and take our rightful place as the great arsenal of democracy in Africa.”

According to him, the launch of the National Movement for Electoral Reforms was a “giant step forward” in improving the democratic system and aligned with IPAC’s mandate of consolidating democracy, ensuring political stability, and promoting the well-being of citizens. He reaffirmed IPAC’s role as the umbrella body of all political parties in Nigeria, committed to promoting electoral integrity and creating a level playing ground for all political actors.

Proposed Amendments

In his detailed proposals, Dr. Dantalle outlined key constitutional amendments which IPAC is pushing for ahead of the 2027 elections.

First, he called for the scrapping of the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), insisting that the responsibility for conducting elections in all 774 local government areas be vested solely in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). According to him, centralized management under INEC would guarantee uniform standards, curb undue influence by state executives, and enhance voter trust in the local government electoral process.

Second, he strongly advocated for the removal of the power to appoint the INEC Chairman, National Commissioners, and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the President and the executive arm of government. Instead, he proposed the establishment of an Independent Appointment Committee (IAC), composed of representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, the National Judicial Council, and the National Assembly.

Under the plan, interested candidates for INEC positions would publicly express interest, be screened by the Department of State Services (DSS), and elected by the IAC. This, he argued, would eliminate executive influence, guarantee the independence of the electoral body, and ensure the appointment of only the most qualified individuals.

Third, the IPAC Chairman called for the restoration of funding for political parties by INEC under stringent conditions to ensure transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.

He noted that such funding would empower parties to effectively carry out voter education, citizen engagement, civic participation, and issue-based campaigns. He further suggested that access to funds should be tied to a party’s commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and representation, especially the promotion of women, youth, and minority participation.

Fourth, Dantalle endorsed the provision of special seats for women in the constitution, describing it as a step toward equity, fairness, and inclusion. He threw IPAC’s weight behind the proposal championed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, which seeks to improve women’s participation in political decision-making and strengthen democracy.

Finally, he called for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission to curb electoral malpractices such as vote buying, ballot snatching, violence, and falsification of results. Such a body, he said, would ensure that electoral offenders are prosecuted and deterred, thereby enhancing credibility in the system.

Role of the Judiciary and Stakeholder Collaboration

Dr. Dantalle emphasized the critical role of the judiciary in sustaining democracy. He expressed concerns about conflicting court judgments, judicial independence, and the effectiveness of current disciplinary measures in curbing misconduct within the judiciary.

He disclosed that IPAC had convened a roundtable with stakeholders to explore the judiciary’s role in consolidating democracy, identify challenges, and propose workable solutions.

Key issues raised include constitutional interpretation and judicial review, dangers of contradictory rulings, accountability of judges, and strengthening the National Judicial Council (NJC) to effectively discipline erring members. He stressed that collaboration among all arms and tiers of government is essential to make democracy work.

“I urge the National Assembly to give serious attention and ensure that these recommendations find their way into the provisions of the Electoral Act and Constitutional Amendment for a sustainable democracy and prosperous nation,” he said.

According to him, “It is hoped that participants in this summit will thoroughly assess, examine and evaluate various proposals for constitutional and electoral reform, and make recommendations for consideration of the National Assembly. I have no doubt that Nigerians will have the people’s Constitution this time.”

Closing Note

Concluding his address, Dr. Dantalle reaffirmed IPAC’s unwavering commitment to constitutional and electoral reforms that would promote credible, transparent, and fair elections in Nigeria. He urged participants to engage deeply in the summit, assuring that the outcome would shape Nigeria’s democratic future.

“Thank you and God bless you,” he ended, drawing applause from the audience.

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