Political parties under the umbrella of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have lamented the increasing rate of hardship faced by Nigerians, News About Nigeria reports.
IPAC’s National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, made this known in Abuja at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s fourth quarterly consultative meeting with leaders of political parties.
It noted that the continuous rise in the cost of living in the country is largely responsible for the increasing cases of voter apathy during elections.
According to him, the rising cost of living and political tension have dampened citizens’ morale in the electoral process, which has in turn resulted in low voter turnout in elections.
Dantelle, therefore, urged governments at all levels to improve the people’s well-being and ameliorate the hardship millions of Nigerians are facing.
He stated, “After 25 years of unbroken democracy, the state of the nation is sour. Nigerians are disillusioned. The rising cost of living and political tension have dampened citizens’ morale in the electoral process, resulting in low voter turnout in elections.
“Citizens’ participation in elections is critical for sustainable democracy as power resides in the people. The need to create an environment conducive to successful elections, political stability, economic growth, and public safety cannot be overemphasised.
“IPAC urges governments at all levels to improve the people’s well-being in tandem with Section 14(2)b of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. Urgent steps should be taken to ameliorate the hardship millions of Nigerians are facing today. This will spur their political participation, which will give more credence to the electoral process.”
