By Luminous Jannamike

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has condemned the passage of a controversial electoral law by the Anambra State House of Assembly, describing it as ‘retrogressive’ and undermining to democracy.

The law, hastily approved ahead of the September 28 local government elections, has sparked widespread outrage.

IPAC, the umbrella body for all registered political parties in Nigeria, vowed to challenge the law in court, labeling it ‘anti-democratic’.

In a statement on Friday, IPAC National Chairman Yusuf Mamman Dantalle accused the state government of being desperate to cling to power at all costs.

The law’s provisions, including the requirement for political parties to submit candidate names to the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) only if signed by the state chairman and secretary, have been criticized as a violation of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Constitution.

According to IPAC, the law could lead to political upheaval, disrupt peace, and undermine the legitimacy of the upcoming elections.

The Council warned that the law could spark a crisis of confidence in the electoral process.

IPAC also renewed its call for State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to be scrapped, advocating for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take over local government elections.

It stated, “The passage of the Anambra State Electoral Law, 2024, is outrageous, appalling, and a blatant attack on the nation’s hard-earned democracy.

“This retrogressive and anti-democratic law must be resisted by all lovers of democracy in Nigeria. It is the height of legislative recklessness and a deliberate assault on the rule of law and the electoral process.

“The Supreme Court has long decided on this affront to the nation’s democracy by desperate politicians.

“It is unfortunate that the Anambra State House of Assembly would stoop so low to assault the sensibilities of Nigerians with this obnoxious electoral law by changing the rules in the middle of the game. This grandstanding and abuse of power must be resisted to save our democracy.

“As the umbrella body for all registered political parties in Nigeria, IPAC will challenge this abhorrent law in court to restore sanity in the democratic process. This ill-conceived and ill-advised law is an exercise in futility intended to undermine the nation’s democracy. Nigeria is a nation governed by the rule of law.

“It is clear that any law by a misguided State House of Assembly that is inconsistent with the Constitution and the Electoral Act is void and of no effect to the extent of the inconsistency.”