The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has said that Nigerians have reasons to celebrate the New Year 2024 despite political tension and uncertainty associated with the 2023 general elections.

National Chairman-Elect of IPAC, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, said this Sunday in his New Year message.

He noted that apart from economic recession aggravated by the removal of fuel subsidy, there was also devaluation of naira and insecurity across the nation, but that Nigerians showed resilient, surmounted all odds and expressed faith in the fatherland to build a nation bound in freedom, love and unity where peace and justice shall reign.

“It is patriotism at its finest to gives glory to God for his grace, mercy and preservation in 2023, a memorable year in Nigeria. The New Year provides us another opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the higher pursuit of a better, greater, prosperous, equitable and decent democratic nation.

“It is time for individual and national healing of fractured and ruptured relationships caused by the 2023 general election and various communities’ conflicts bearing in mind that “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand,” Dantalle said.

According to him, the tasks ahead are enormous and will require exceptional patriotism, political sagacity, leadership acumen and tenacity of purpose to combat insecurity, turnaround the economy, improve infrastructure, provide jobs, maintain social cohesion, boost the people’s standards of living and move the nation forward.

“As a major stakeholder in the democratic process, IPAC will continue to hold national leaders accountable in the quest for a strong, virile, progressive and united nation.

“Council demands free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive, acceptable and peaceful bye-elections and urges the Independent National Electoral Commission to provide a level playing field to all the political parties and their candidates participating in the upcoming polls.

“The commission should improve its performance in the general election and off-season governorship polls and ensure that electoral materials are adequate and functional particularly the BVAS and the IREV portal to avoid undue glitches that could mar the exercise.

“The people’s vote must be counted and count in the overall results and their mandates respected by all stakeholders in the electoral process. Election is the beauty of democracy. The ballot is sacrosanct. Eligible voters are urged to turn up en masse to exercise their franchise as we jointly deepen the nation’s democracy.

“The obvious flaws witnessed during the 2023 general election and the off season gubernatorial polls call for further electoral reform and amendment of the Electoral Act 2022 to address them. IPAC in collaboration with critical stakeholders will champion this to ensure credible elections in Nigeria,” Dantalle, who is also the National Chairman of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) said.

He noted that the Judiciary is the beacon of hope to all aggrieved citizens and that as the temple of justice it should be firm and decisive in discharging its constitutional duties aware that all eyes are on it particularly on election disputes.

He also commended leaders of political parties for the success of the 18 December, 2023 IPAC election monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in which he emerged as the National Chairman of the IPAC.

He said, “I was humbled by the concession speech of the immediate past national chairman, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sani who applauded the election as free, fair, credible and transparent and congratulated me stating that as party leaders and democrats, IPAC should always set example in conducting a credible election.

“I commend the electoral committee led by Chief Dan Nwanyanwu for conducting the poll in accordance with the IPAC Code of Conduct and carried party leaders along during the exercise which was covered by the media.

“I will justify the confidence reposed in me as the new national chairman of the Council. With your usual support and cooperation, we shall move IPAC to the next level. I promise to run an inclusive administration that will strengthen the Council and deepened democracy in Nigeria.

“The election is over, there is no Victor, no vanquished. It is a collective victory that will spur and motivate us to strengthen IPAC as the umbrella body of all registered political parties in Nigeria in the quest for a strong, virile, progressive, prosperous and equitable democratic nation.”

He urged Nigerians to enter the New Year with pride, confidence and courage, and embark on great national deeds, to build a better future for incoming generations.