By Milcah Tanimu

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has called on political parties to refrain from conducting conflicting primaries, emphasizing the disruption and wastage of resources such actions entail.

Yakubu reiterated this call during the first regular quarterly consultative meeting with political parties held in Abuja on Tuesday. He expressed concern over the recent trend of parallel primaries and the emergence of multiple candidates, citing the recent example of the Edo primaries.

Highlighting the adverse effects of frequent changes witnessed during primary elections, Yakubu stressed that such practices are not only disruptive but also financially burdensome for the commission. He emphasized that INEC cannot continually mobilize and demobilize officials for monitoring party primaries to accommodate the convenience of political parties.

Moreover, Yakubu pointed out that these conflicting primaries often lead to unnecessary litigations, further complicating the electoral process and undermining its integrity.

The INEC chairman’s remarks come amidst preparations for the off-cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. In the lead-up to the Edo State Governorship Election, several political parties conducted parallel primaries, resulting in disputes over the legitimate party candidates.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) both experienced internal conflicts over their respective primary elections, with multiple individuals claiming candidacy. Such disputes not only create confusion but also raise questions about the credibility of the electoral process.

Yakubu’s call for political parties to prioritize internal cohesion and adhere to established procedures reflects INEC’s commitment to promoting fair and transparent elections in Nigeria.