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The umbrella association of all registered political parties and
political association in the country, Conference of Nigeria Political
Parties (CNPP) called on Nigerian voters and lovers of democracy across
the world to be wary of what it described as “the antics” of the ruling
All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the party of appearing “to be
pro-democrats and at the same time circumvent democratic norms”.
CNPP Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu in a statement commemorating
the anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election
widely acclaimed to be won by business mogul, Chief MKO Abiola, noted
that the “while June 12 will continue to remain relevant in political
discourse in Nigeria, many anti-democratic individuals have continued to
gain access into the corridors of power under the guise of June 12
supporters.”
According to the CNPP, “it about time we began self-appraisals ahead of
2023 general elections to ensure that Nigerians benefit from what June
12 epitomises rather than turning the symbolisms of the annulled free
and fair election as a gate-pass to power by politicians and their
cronies.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) led government has carried on
theoretically in the last six years as pro-June 12 and all that the June
12, 1993 presidential election represented in, especially by instituting
June 12 as a Democracy Day, but in practice has exhibited
anti-democratic tendencies, either by oversight or consciously.
“Two of the fundamental elements of democracy are periodic elections and
respect for rule of law. These basic ingredients of democracy have been
unacceptably undermined in the last six years.
“First, the APC won presidential election, for the first time in the
history of the country, an opposition party’s candidate beat an
incumbent president in an election that was globally heralded as free
and fair.
“This was attested to by the fact that the then ruling party, the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) never challenged the outcome of the
presidential polls in court.
“Has the APC improved on acceptance of election outcomes in the country
in the last six years? Are our elections better? Do citizens have more
confidence in the electoral process today?
“Second, under the APC government, how have we fared as a country in
terms of respect for the rule of law? The APC government shocked
Nigerians early enough through consistent disregard for the court
orders. Most Nigerians are aware that the federal government has
remained selective on orders of the court to obey or disrespect.
“We call on Nigerian voters and lovers of democracy across the world to
beware of the antics of the ruling APC as they appear to be
pro-democrats and at the same time circumvent democratic norms so long
as it serves their purpose of remaining in power.
“As it stands, Nigeria is fast turning into a one-party state because
the present federal government has continued to be the forgiver of the
‘sins’ of elected political office holders in their fold, just as the
‘sins’ of defectors to the APC are unswervingly forgiven. For this, APC
is fast turning into a haven for our corrupt politicians”, the CNPP
stated.