#KogiGovRace: Inter-Party Council urges parties to adhere to political rules
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The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on Saturday called on political parties in Kogi to strictly adhere to political codes of conduct as they prepare for the November 21, governorship election in the state.
Mr Ibrahim Itodo, the state chairman of IPAC on Saturday said the parties must ensure conduct of free, fair and transparent party primaries to forestall crisis.
Itodo cautioned against imposition of candidates saying: “One of the codes emphasizes on conduct of free, fair and transparent party primaries which is central to good conduct of the main election on November 21.
“This is because imposition of candidates is disastrous and it can lead to decamping or cross-carpeting of party supporters”, he said, adding that lack of internal democracies had been the bane of many political parties in the country.
“Now that we have Permanent Voter Cards and Card Readers, any party that imposes an unpopular candidate on the people will have itself to blame because the electorate will always go for any party that fields the most popular candidate.”
Itodo however urged contestants in the various political parties to always support candidates that emerged from their party primaries to ensure success of their parties rather than cross-carpet on account of loss in the primaries.
He urged political parties to always involve IPAC and the Independent Nation al Electoral Commission (INEC) to observe the conduct of their primaries in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“There is a synergy that exists between these two bodies. INEC and IPAC are collaborating to ensure that there are credible party primaries and free, fair, credible and acceptable gubernatorial election”, he said.
On security, before, during and after the forthcoming gubernatorial election, the IPAC chairman expressed optimism that the state inter-agency security meeting led by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Samuel Ogunjemilusi would provide necessary security.
Itodo congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state for the successful conduct of its congresses and urged other parties to follow suit.
– NAN
