By Ernest Nzor, Abuja
New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair, transparent and peaceful governorship polls in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states.
It expresses readiness to clinch Imo in the November poll and not allow intra-party squabbles to distract it from winning the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja, at the weekend, National Publicity Secretary of NNPP, Dr. Agbo Major, stressed the need for peace, unity and synergy in the party in Imo as they prepare for the crucial off-season election.
He further said the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) directed aggrieved members, who suspended the party chairman in Imo, Charles Duruimo, to retract their action, as the national leadership of the party led by Alhaji Abba Kawu-Ali stepped into the matter to amicably resolve it.
Major said: “NNPP demands free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful governorship elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa states.”
INEC should provide a level playing field to all political parties and their candidates participating in the polls and ensure the people’s mandates are respected.
“The electoral umpire should adequately test-run its Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) to avoid the awkward story of glitches, hitches and manipulations that characterised the last general election leading to numerous petitions at various Election Petition Tribunals across the country challenging the outcome of the polls.”
For him, every vote matters and should be counted and count in the overall results. This is the only way to consolidate the nation’s frail democracy and reaffirm Nigerians’ confidence in the electoral process.
He added: “With an action governor, two senators, 20 House of Representatives and several Houses of Assembly members, NNPP is set to bolster the nation’s constitutional rule as the fastest-growing political party in Nigeria.
“The party is strongly determined to make Nigeria a land of justice, freedom and equal opportunities, where all citizens are at liberty to aspire to achieve their lifetime goals and ambitions; a land to live in peace, prosperity and happiness. The party’s elected members will uphold this fundamental mission as we jointly build new Nigeria citizens will be proud of.”
Source: The Guardian