The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called for the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) and the transfer of local government elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure credible polls and strengthen local autonomy.

Speaking at the consultative meeting of the House Committee on Constitution Review with political party leaders in Abuja, IPAC Deputy Chairman Dipo Olayoku, who represented the National Chairman, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, also advocated removing the Executive’s power to appoint INEC officials.

He proposed the establishment of an Independent Appointment Committee comprising representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, the judiciary, and the National Assembly.

Other IPAC proposals include restoring public funding for political parties, establishing an Electoral Offences Commission, and allowing parties to replace legislators who defect or die without costly by-elections. National Women Leaders Forum President Amina Bryhm backed the special seats bill, saying it would correct gender imbalances and enhance women’s political representation.

(In his welcome address, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, called on leaders of Nigeria’s registered political parties to unite behind the constitution review process, describing it as a historic opportunity to reshape the nation’s democratic framework.

He emphasized that 26 years after Nigeria’s return to democratic rule, the nation has recorded progress through successive elections and peaceful transfers of power, but gaps still remain in governance, inclusiveness, and accountability.

According to him, the review provides a rare opportunity to close those gaps and deliver a Constitution that truly serves the people. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by the Senate Chief Whip Senator Mohammed Monguno, said the review is a moral duty to make the Constitution reflect current realities, stressing credible elections, judicial integrity, and grassroots federalism.