IPAC Outlines Major Programmes Ahead of Nigeria's 2027 General Elections
Hannah ARIKPO
In view of its constitutional advisory role to the government, the Cross River state Inter- Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has packaged three major events towards ensuring effective political participation and strengthening democratic institutions in the state.
The State-wide events are a comprehensive governance assessment and engagement tour of the eighteen local government areas, State-wide Political Stakeholders' conference and Political Parties Peace Walk ahead of 2027 general elections.
The comprehensive assessment tour which
Kicks- off, on Tuesday, November ten with Biase, Akamkpa and Odukpani local government areas,
will be rounded up on Saturday November twenty-one with Calabar Municipal and Calabar South. A State -wide Political Parties and Stakeholders' Conference is scheduled for Monday, November thirtieth at the Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar while a Statewide Political Parties Peace Walk will round up the Council's engagements for the year.
Speaking at a press briefing in Calabar, the Cross River state Capital, the State Chairman of IPAC, Engr. Effiom Edet Okon, explained that the tour will enable the Council to inspect and ascertain the level of implementation of government projects as well as evaluate its impact on the people. The exercise is also expected to provide an opportunity to IPAC members to identify grey areas yearning for government attention and as well make constructive recommendations which will strengthen service delivery and democratic accountability.
The IPAC Boss, advised stakeholders in the respective local government areas to take advantage of the exercise to draw attention to their developmental priorities like ongoing projects and community needs including issues seeking government attention.
He described the tour as an institutional responsibility with the good intention to ensure that governance remains people-centred, transparent and responsive to the needs of the citizenry as the initiative is not designed to neither witch-hunt any government nor political officeholders.
"IPAC is neither an enemy of government nor a political instrument. We are an independent democratic institution committed to constructive partnership, responsive engagement and the promotion of good governance." Okon explained.
Okon further announced a State-wide Political Parties and Stakeholders' Conference with the theme, " *2027 Elections from voices to votes - Process, Participation, Security and National Stability beyond 2027"* on November thirtieth slated to hold at the Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, the Cross River state capital.
The conference is a collaborative effort between IPAC and relevant stakeholders, designed to present a level playing platform for political parties, government representatives, security agencies, INEC, CSOs among others to deliberate on the future of the Nation's electoral democracy. Discussions will focus on electoral integrity, citizens participation, political inclusion and peaceful political competition as well as the preservation of national stability beyond the 2027 general elections.
The third packaged event towards promoting peaceful political participation and strengthening democratic values is IPAC's proposed Political Parties Peace Walk for 2027 General Elections.Tagged," *Unity in Diversity, Peace for a greater Cross River,* the event is slated for December five, 2026.
According to Okon, "This is not a campaign rally for individuals, political parties or candidates, We want Candidates who may be political opponents to walk side by side, thereby demonstrating that political competition does not make us enemies. IPAC hereby extends special invitations to stakeholders and the general public to attend these events."
