Onyekachi Eze 
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the umbrella body of registered political parties in Nigeria, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), with the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), to verify and authentic certificates presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by candidates seeking elective positions.
IPAC Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, at a meeting between INEC and leadership of political parties in Abuja on Thursday, explained that the council was concerned by numerous fake certificates presented by candidates contesting various elective offices.
Dantalle said fake certificates had led to litigations and nullification of elections, and have denied political parties that fielded the candidates their hard earned victory.
“IPAC took this bold step to restore sanity in the electoral process and effectively detect these fake documents that embarrass political parties and bring our democracy to disrepute.
“We must do everything possible to renew citizens’ faith in the political process.
“This is our chance to build an enduring democracy and make Nigeria great again,” he stated.
According to him, enduring democracy starts with a reliable, accurate and updated register of voters.
He expressed the hope that all eligible voters were registered for the Edo and Ondo governorship elections, and assured that as it has been IPAC’s tradition, the council will engage in voter education, sensitisation and mobilisation ahead of governorship and presidential elections.
“Council will collaborate with INEC once again in discharging this civic duty in the upcoming Edo and Ondo polls,” he added.
Dantalle urged INEC to remain a neutral umpire, as Nigerians and the international community expect improved elections.
He told the commission that its integrity is at stake, and called on it to ensure adequate election materials and particularly the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS).
“The commission should justify the confidence citizens reposed in it to conduct free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections.
“The success of these elections will rebuild trust in the electoral process and boost voter turnout.
“With good leadership at all levels of governments, Nigeria will regain its place as the great arsenal of democracy in Africa. Citizens will once more be proud to be Nigerians,” he stated.
