The Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), on Wednesday in Abuja, disagreed with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the sequence of the 2015 general elections timetable.
The Chairman of IPAC, Dr Yunusa Tanko, made the position of the council known at a meeting between INEC and political parties on the timetable for the 2015 general elections.
IPAC is an association of all registered political parties in the country.
Tanko explained that the new arrangement which placed the presidential and national assembly elections first followed by governorship and state assembly elections had raised some apprehension in some quarters.
“ It is obvious that if presidential election takes place first, it will sweep the direction of the whole elections toward one angle.
“With the level of apprehension already in the country, it could have been better for us to have the governorship and the state assembly elections before presidential election.
“This will go a long way to reduce the level of tension in the country,“ Tanko said.
He said if INEC start 2015 elections with the governorship election, it could give opportunity for all political parties to have a chance of winning elections.
According Tanko, many political parties are still insisting that elections should be conducted in one day to guard against any form of manipulation.
“ We have spoken the general view of larger percentage of political parties but if there are others who have contrary view, they are free to air their opinions.
“ At least, 80 per cent population of political parties still feel that the elections should have been sequenced in this manner to put the minds of Nigerians in a comfortable zone.
“ These are the key salient issues within political parties and we are providing two options. It is either the presidential election comes in last or elections should take place in one day, ?? Tanko said.
He said that political parties were the owners of the electoral process and if parties have an issue the whole electoral body has an issue, “let no anybody be in doubt??.
Tanko emphasised the determination of IPAC to partner with INEC with a view to give suggestion as to how the Commission would achieve consensus with parties to ensure credible elections in 2015.
The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said that INEC was aware of the various commentaries that had trailed the unveiling of the timetable for the general elections.
Jega, represented by the Commission?s National Commissioner, Mrs Thelma Iremiren, said that the early released of the timetable would help political actors and security agencies to ensure timely preparation for the elections.
“Election is a serious business, measures put in place by the Commission to release and commence activities are designed to avoid the pitfalls of the past,??Jega said.
Jega reiterated INEC’s commitment to continue to strengthen its system and processes to ensure remarkable improvement in the management of elections in the country.
“ Our commitment to this promise remains unshaken and with the cooperation of all stakeholders, everything humanly possible shall be done to ensure that the 2015 elections are free, fair and credible.??
