**Voter Apathy and Party Primaries: A Recipe for Disaster in Nigeria's Elections** As Nigeria gears up for the 2026 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has been replaced by a new INEC Chairman in the article. However, we'll use the Chairman's name, Joash Amupitan, to discuss the issue of voter apathy and party primaries. In a recent technical workshop in Akwa Ibom, Amupitan revealed that the lack of transparency in party primaries is at the heart of Nigeria's voter apathy and escalating pre-election litigations. **The Root of the Problem** The Chairman of INEC believes that the way Nigerian political parties conduct their primaries is a major factor in voter apathy. He pointed out that billions of naira are spent on litigations arising from disputed party primaries. The INEC boss argued that candidates who emerge from such processes are often unpopular, leading to voter apathy and a surge in pre-election disputes. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of political parties to formulate ideologies and adhere to their constitutions. **Unhealthy Competition and Internal Democracy** Amupitan lamented that Nigerian political parties are currently plagued by unhealthy competition and leadership squabbles. He described these issues as a distraction from the primary mandate of INEC, which is to plan elections. The INEC Chairman stated that each day spent defending intra-party disputes in court is a day diverted from election planning. He also noted that these disputes result in a deluge of unnecessary litigations, where INEC is often joined as a party. **New Guidelines for a Better Election Process** To address these issues, Amupitan emphasized the need for stricter benchmarks for party primaries. He announced that the new guidelines for party primaries will introduce measures such as financial transparency, inclusivity of women, youth, and people with disabilities, and documentation of party membership. These changes aim to promote internal democracy within parties and reduce the likelihood of unpopular candidates emerging from the primaries. **Conclusion** The Chairman of INEC has sounded the alarm on the need for Nigerian political parties to reform their primaries to address voter apathy and escalating pre-election litigations. The new guidelines for party primaries aim to promote internal democracy, inclusivity, and transparency. It remains to be seen whether these changes will be effective in addressing the challenges facing Nigeria's electoral process.