‘INEC Connives With PDP to Truncate Democracy’

Posted by admin Latest Politics Saturday, January 29th, 2011

The planned rerun of primary elections in some states by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been described as a deliberate attempt to truncate Nigeria’s frail democracy.

A press statement issued in Abuja yesterday by the chairman, Publicity Committee of the Patriotic Alliance of Nigeria, PEAN, Engr Damian Ogbonna condemned in strong terms, PDP’s decision to conduct fresh primaries in some states after the deadline for congresses and conventions had elapsed.

The statement also bemoaned the stand of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on this critical issue; warning the commission of the dire consequences of granting any form of waiver to the PDP. “What guarantees do we have that any waiver granted to the PDP will not lead to more re-runs and additional waivers? INEC and the PDP should obey the law and stick to the election timetable,” PEAN urged.

PEAN , therefore, implores the PDP to use its internal mechanism to resolve disputes arising from its primaries nationwide; stating that any attempt at conducting fresh primaries, especially, in Kano State may culminate into chaos as the state PDP leaders have warned against any such exercise.

Meanwhile, Citizens Popular Party, CPP, a member of PEAN called on INEC to extend the period of the voter registration in order to justify the confidence Nigerians repose in it.

Speaking to newsmen at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja, its national chairman, Barr. Maxi Okwu said millions of Nigerians would be disenfranchised if INEC failed to heed this call. He urged eligible Nigerians to register, vote and protect their votes in the April general elections.wp_posts