Move Elections To June 2011 – NNPP
ABUJA, August 17, (THEWILL) - The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has raised fears that going by the current developments towards 2011 elections in the country, the January dateline may not be feasible nor realistic.
The party in a statement signed by its National Secretary Agbo Gilbert Major and made available to THEWILL in Abuja, said while appreciating the commitment of the Federal Government, the judiciary and the legislature in keeping to constitutional provisions in Nigeria, it believes that there is the urgent need for Nigerians to see reasons for shifting the election date to June 2011, in order to allow time to make laws that are capable of impacting positively on the lives of Nigerians, and most importantly for the interest of the country.
"We have succeeded in two key areas at the moment, the appointment of a credible chairman for INEC and the willingness of government to fund election processes adequately", the party said.
"There is the urgent need for the NASS to once again invoke their "Doctrine of Necessity" at this very important time. Nigerians will have themselves to blame if we ask Jega to deliver bags of salt to various states of Nigeria during rainy season without providing him with a tarpaulin to cover it."
The party wants the new leadership of INEC to profile and analyze existing structures and personnel available at commission alleging that some of the old hands in INEC may frustrate his programmes through deliberate abuse of due process.
"He needs time to find out and take preventive measures, he needs to hold strategic meetings with the police high command, other law enforcement agencies and the judiciary for the purpose of protecting lives and properties of the stakeholders during election campaigns, voting, counting and electoral protests. He needs to marshal out plans for the riverine areas and other difficult terrains in Nigeria to make sure that they participate in the elections", the party said.
On the need for a credible voters register which is the hub of a credible election, the NNPP said stakeholders need to receive comprehensive enlightenment and education on the programmes and activities of INEC which should be done through the political parties, adding that the voters register need to be put in proper shape.
The party also resolved to congratulate the PDP for the resolution of their internal problem of zoning in accordance with the Nigerian constitution stressing that NNPP salutes the pro-activeness of the PDP political strategists for taking over the media at no cost in a matter which is internal.