CNPP HAILS APGA'S VICTORY IN IMO

By Tony Edike
ENUGU-THE Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, yesterday, praised the victory of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA and the Imo State Governor-elect, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, saying the exercise was like snatching victory from the jaws of lions.

The group said that the resilience of the people of Imo State against perceived encumbrances on the election was responsible for the victory just as it commiserated with those who lost their lives in the election and called on their families to bear the irreparable loss and take solace on the truism that their battle was not in vain.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, the CNPP alleged connivance between the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to swing victory against APGA by the late arrival of materials to the councils, stressing that such was deliberately orchestrated to deny the electorate opportunity to exercise their franchise.

He said, 'We are appalled with the show of shame exhibited by INEC, as evidenced by late arrival of electoral materials, in a supplementary election holding in only four Local Government Areas; regardless of huge resources deployed for the exercise.  Infact APGA snatched victory from the jaws of ignoble lions.

'CNPP salutes the gallant Imo State indigenes, the great Oguta Women and some uncountable soldiers of democracy, who demolished the obstacles mounted by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the INEC unholy alliance; your challenge and resolve undoubtedly had sowed the seed of genuine democracy in the heartland of South East and indeed Nigeria.  History will surely engrave your names in the hall of fame of democracy.'

The group, however, maintained that Nigerian democracy cannot grow if the people  fail to make sacrifices  'and continue under food is ready one party state; which is the metaphor of the PDP in the last twelve years'.

It continued, 'APGA's victory has in no small measure exposed the jumbo-allocation and charade of the presidential election, where President Goodluck Jonathan polled 1.38million votes in Imo State; while the totality of the valid votes cast for 19 the gubernatorial candidates in Imo State in the

April 26 and Supplementary governorship election is hovering around 750,955'.