APC, LP Firmly Back INEC on Bye-Elections, Reject Falana’s Controversial Proposal

APC, LP Firmly Back INEC on Bye-Elections, Reject Falana’s Controversial Proposal

The debate over the future of bye-elections in Nigeria has intensified, with major political parties rejecting Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana’s call for parties to replace vacant legislative seats internally. While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeks cost-effective reforms, the Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and the All Progressives Congress (APC) insist that bye-elections remain the best democratic practice.

INEC’s Concerns Over Costly Bye-Elections

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, raised concerns on Wednesday about the financial burden of bye-elections, revealing that 23 legislative seats have become vacant since June 2023 due to resignations and deaths. According to Yakubu, conducting frequent bye-elections is unpredictable, unbudgeted, and diverts resources from other critical electoral responsibilities.

Yakubu emphasized the need for legislative reforms to adopt more cost-effective vacancy-filling mechanisms, citing international best practices. He noted that while INEC has consistently advocated for these changes over the past nine years, the financial strain continues to grow, especially with the increasing number of vacancies. His remarks reignited discussions on whether Nigeria should reconsider its approach to filling legislative vacancies.

Political Parties Reject Falana’s Proposition

Despite Yakubu’s concerns, the LP and NNPP strongly opposed Falana’s proposal that parties should internally decide replacements without conducting bye-elections. The LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, argued that bypassing bye-elections could lead to undemocratic practices and reduce voter influence in the selection process.

Ifoh maintained that in established democracies, bye-elections remain the standard practice for filling vacancies, ensuring transparency and accountability. He dismissed claims that INEC’s expenditure on bye-elections is excessive, asserting that most electoral materials, such as card readers and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), are reusable. The NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, echoed this sentiment, stating that party-driven replacements could lead to unrepresentative appointments that disregard the electorate’s preferences.

PDP Supports Internal Party Replacements

While the APC called for broader consultations, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supported Falana’s stance. PDP Deputy Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, argued that political parties should be allowed to replace legislators internally to cut costs and reduce election-related expenses. He suggested that since votes belong to political parties rather than individual candidates, the affected parties should have the authority to decide successors.

This viewpoint aligns with Falana’s legal argument that elected positions belong to political parties, and as such, replacements should not necessitate fresh elections. However, critics fear that such a system could encourage political manipulation and nepotism, potentially undermining democratic principles.

APC Calls for Wider Consultations on Reform

Unlike the PDP’s outright endorsement of Falana’s proposition, the APC emphasized the need for extensive deliberations before making any policy changes. The party’s National Publicity Director, Bala Ibrahim, urged stakeholders to engage in wider consultations, ensuring that any reform reflects the majority’s will.

Ibrahim suggested that instead of eliminating bye-elections, INEC should explore stricter election conditions to ensure decisive victories in the first round of voting, reducing the need for frequent reruns. He also proposed alternative measures, such as ranking candidates beyond the first-place winner, to streamline succession processes. According to him, this approach could cut costs while maintaining democratic integrity.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding bye-elections highlights a broader debate on balancing electoral efficiency with democratic representation. While INEC struggles with financial constraints, major parties like the LP, NNPP, and APC advocate for the continuation of bye-elections, rejecting Falana’s call for party-led replacements. Meanwhile, the PDP remains open to reforms that could reduce costs. As discussions continue, the fate of Nigeria’s bye-election process rests on potential legislative changes and the willingness of stakeholders to embrace reform without compromising democracy.


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