NNPP to INEC: Restore Public Trust or Voter Apathy Will Persist

By Folarin Adeyemi Aluko

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prioritise rebuilding public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process, arguing that internal disputes within political parties are not the primary cause of voter apathy.

In a statement issued Wednesday in Abuja, the NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, responded to recent concerns raised by the electoral commission regarding the disruptive impact of internal party wranglings on its operations.

Johnson acknowledged that legal battles stemming from party crises often compel INEC to appear in court as a necessary party, placing administrative and financial strain on the commission.

“It is, in a sense, understandable that INEC complains about the disturbances caused by internal party disputes,” Johnson said. “Because the commission is often joined as a necessary party in these suits, it inevitably drains their time and resources.”

However, he argued that the deeper and more dangerous issue confronting Nigeria’s democracy is the widespread loss of faith in the credibility of elections.

“The greatest cause of voter apathy in Nigeria is not internal party friction; it is the widespread perception that INEC is complicit in subverting the will of the people,” Johnson stated.

According to him, many Nigerians believe that their votes do not count and that outcomes are predetermined ,a perception he described as the main driver of declining voter turnout.

“A large percentage of the voting public remains convinced that the system is rigged,” he added. “Until INEC demonstrates absolute transparency and proves it is an unbiased arbiter, no amount of internal party stability will bring Nigerians back to the polling units.”

The NNPP maintained that while political parties must improve internal democracy and reduce avoidable litigation, the electoral body must undertake credible reforms capable of restoring the sanctity of the ballot.

The party’s statement comes shortly after INEC announced a review of its 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, a move aimed at strengthening transparency and improving compliance.

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this during a technical workshop in Ikot Ekpene, where he said the commission is working to harmonise its framework with the newly enacted Electoral Act 2026.

Amupitan noted that the review process is intended to sanitise political party operations and align regulatory mechanisms with evolving democratic standards. He urged stakeholders to ensure that the revised guidelines reflect the aspirations of Nigerians and strengthen the country’s electoral system.

As debate continues over the integrity of Nigeria’s elections, the NNPP’s remarks underscore a broader national conversation , whether reforming party structures alone is sufficient, or whether restoring public trust in the electoral umpire remains the central challenge ahead of future polls.