Political parties back NASS on new election sequence

By Our Correspondent

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has thrown its weight behind the National Assembly on reordering of 2019 general elections and beyond.
They insisted that that the presidential election must come last to save Nigerian democracy and the country from nosediving into a one party state at any point in our national life.
In its reaction on Thursday, the CNPP in a statement issued by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, noted that proposal by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will lead to the party, which wins the Presidential election sweeping the polls at all level in view of the history of elections in the country.
CNPP also counselled all civil society organizations (CSOs) “towing the path of INEC to retrace their steps as they are unwittingly aiding a rigging formula that will turn the country into a one party state.
“If INEC wants to conduct free, fair and credible elections in the country devoid of rigging, the Commission should listen to the voice of the representatives of the Nigerian people, who are working hard to reduce bandwagon effects in voting.
“Members of the National Assembly are not only experienced politicians but major stakeholders in the outcome of the elections.
“You don’t put in place an electoral process in place with one man in mind because if another person comes in, the process will be inherited by the person.
“The the process should be to do the right thing and follow the path that can deepen democracy rather than a party that will ultimately destroy all democratic tenets we have all labour to build.
“For us, the reordered elections is the best thing the current National Assembly has done for Nigeria and democracy in the country. And anyone against it is a hater of Nigerian democracy.
“The issue is not about President Muhammadu Buhari’s reelection bid. It is about Nigeria after President Buhari”, the body observed.
The CNPP then tasked the electoral umpire on free, fair and very credible 2019 elections that will surpass the legacy left behind by the last leadership of the Commission.
Meanwhile, the Senate has stated that it followed due process in the adoption and passage of the amendment to the Electoral Act.
Its spokesperson, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, also debunked claims that the change in the sequence of elections was targeted at the president.