Voter Apathy Is Your Fault, Not Political Parties — NNPP Fires Back at INEC
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has pushed back against claims that internal crises within political parties are responsible for voter apathy in Nigeria, insisting that the real problem lies with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the public’s growing distrust of the electoral process.
The position was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, which PulseNets obtained on Wednesday while reacting to concerns recently raised by the electoral umpire over how internal party disputes affect its activities.
Johnson acknowledged that legal battles arising from disagreements within political parties often drag INEC into court proceedings as a party to such cases, a situation he admitted places administrative pressure on the electoral body and consumes its time and resources.
However, he maintained that internal party wrangling cannot be blamed for the declining participation of Nigerians in elections.
“The most pressing challenge confronting Nigeria’s democracy is a deepening crisis of public confidence in the electoral system.”
PulseNets learnt that Johnson, while recognizing the administrative challenges cited by the commission, urged the INEC Chairman to confront what he described as a far more dangerous and fundamental issue affecting Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to him, the biggest driver of voter apathy is the widespread perception among Nigerians that the electoral system is manipulated and that the commission itself is complicit in undermining the will of the electorate.
He stressed that many citizens believe the system is already rigged before elections even take place, leaving voters convinced that their ballots ultimately do not count.
Johnson argued that this growing loss of confidence remains the primary factor discouraging Nigerians from participating in elections.
PulseNets reported that the NNPP spokesman warned that unless INEC demonstrates absolute transparency and proves beyond doubt that it is an impartial arbiter, internal stability within political parties alone will not persuade Nigerians to return to polling units.
While noting that political parties must continue to strengthen internal democracy and reduce unnecessary litigation, the NNPP maintained that the electoral commission must also undertake serious introspection.
“INEC must take a hard look in the mirror.”
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The party stressed that meaningful reforms capable of restoring the sanctity and credibility of the vote are essential if public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system is to be rebuilt.
PulseNets learnt that the NNPP’s position came hours after INEC announced the commencement of a review of the 2022 Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, a process the commission said is aimed at strengthening transparency and improving the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral framework.
