BY CHRIS OCHAYI
Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, has raised alarm that the inconsistency exhibited by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over the list of candidates for the April 2011 general elections, posed serious danger to the survival of democracy in the country.

The CNPP said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, yesterday that the Prof Attahiru Jega-led INEC might not conduct free, fair and credible polls during the forthcoming elections.

According to the statement, “the ugly inconsistency of the candidates list, coming on the heels of poorly organised compilation of  voters register, has not only casts serious doubts on the  competence of Prof Attahiru Jega, but also on the guarantee of free, fair and transparent elections.”

“CNPP in league with most progressives had hoped that Professor Jega would safely navigate the Nigerian electoral minefield without being consumed by sharks; a hope, which hopelessly is becoming forlorn by the day.

“As the macabre INEC orchestra booms, today it is the Obasanjo, Uba, Nwodo, Abacha, Alao-Akala etc faction’s lists, tomorrow it is Daniels, Ukachukwu, Chime, Jafaaru,, Folarin etc faction’s lists; hence shifting the goal posts and the toll-gates, may be according to the size of the war-chest of the combatants.

“Whereas, on no account can we ignore the fact that the political parties and our not too decent judiciary cannot be absolved in the blame-game; CNPP however wishes to state clearly that the framers of the Electoral Act 2011, of which INEC was an integral part, envisaged the inordinate ambition of Nigerian politicians and the plethora of court orders which regrettably will form major plank of engagement, hence provided safety-net for INEC, specifically through Section 31{1} and 87{9}.

“Consequently, it is our considered view, since our laws did not provide for independent candidates, that it is the exclusive right of political parties to sponsor and submit the list of candidates, as clearly stipulated by Section 31{1} of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

“We also acknowledge the caveat provided, which states clearly in Section 87{9} that any aspirant who complains that any provisions of this Act has not been complied with in the selection or nomination of a candidate, may apply to the Federal High Court or the High Court of a State or FCT for redress.

“CNPP is therefore at a loss why INEC has wittingly or unwittingly descended into the arena and denied itself of the safety-net provided by the Electoral Act?

“Questions! Questions! Questions! Why is INEC Forum Shopping? Is INEC partisan? At the rate INEC is going when will it finish printing the Ballot-Papers with Serial Numbers? Can INEC in all honesty deny the allegations that its officials are mounting toll-gates for selfish ends?

“Finally, we call on Professor Jega to rely on extant laws, especially the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, exercise the necessary political will, recover the lost grounds and reposition the Commission as an impartial umpire.”