Kogi LG polls: CNPP rejects alleged planned sale of nomination forms by SIEC

By Christiana Ekpa

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, (CNPP) has rejected the planned sale of nomination forms by the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission, (KOSIEC) ahead of the October 19th Local Government election.
The Kogi State CNPP Chairman, Mohammed Kabir Abdullahi in a statement yesterday condemned in totality the alleged purported plans by the State electoral body to sell nomination forms, as well screen potential candidates across political parties prior to the council polls.
Abdullahi, who described the move as laughable, fraudulent and the biggest joke of the century since Nigeria returned to democracy, disclosed that such action would frustrate transparency and equality for those vying for elective positions.
He alleged that over 50 percent of KOSIEC members were card carrying members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC), in Kogi State, stressing that the aim of the electoral body to sell and screen potential candidates was to disqualify members of the opposition parties.
“How can a body set up by the ruling party with the majority as card carrying members of APC want to sell nomination forms?
“This is fraudulent and laughable in a modern society. Do they think we are fools? This is a joke taken too far. They are indirectly saying we don’t want any other political party to contest the election aside those that will be handpicked by APC.
“Anyway, I am not surprised with the undemocratic act coming from the electoral body. Since the Supreme Court gave its judgement concerning Local Government financial autonomy, their mind has not been at peace.
“Before now, the State Government announced openly that they don’t have money to conduct Council polls. Since they knew the implications of not conducting council election after the Supreme Court judgement, the State Government in a fire brigade style through its puppet KOSIEC announced that Local Government election will now take place on 19th October this year.
“KOSIEC should be careful not to bring any rule that will make other political parties withdraw outrightly from the upcoming council elections in Kogi State.
“KOSIEC has no power or right to sell nomination forms to any political party in the State, not even the ruling party which we all know, they are on their payroll,” he alleged.
He called on the National Assembly to pass a law that will enable the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) conduct Local Government election and not appointees of the State Government.

“The Idea of 3pm in my view is not correct because it does not mean you must sit till 3pm, it simply means if we don’t have much to do we can close at 1pm or 2pm to enable our colleagues to go for committee sittings and other matters related to the proceedings of the Senate such as clearances and all that.
“The only aspect of it is to legalise it so that people don’t have the impression that we are sitting at 11am while the rule says 10am”.