The governor of Kano state, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strive to encourage opposition parties for the growth of democracy in the country.
The governor represented by his deputy, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, at the national secretariat of the NNPP, in Abuja, during a visit by the INEC verification team, said opposition parties were going through hell.
The Kano state governor noted that crises in some political parties were being engineered by the government in power, adding that vibrant opposition was the oxygen with which democracy breathe.
He added that if the oxygen was stopped, democracy would become extinct.
He said, “political parties are going through hell. All these our party crisis are being engineered by the government. INEC should have a way of ensuring vibrant opposition parties by making sure that opposition parties thrive. Vibrant opposition is the oxygen of our democracy. If you remove the oxygen, our democracy would not breathe.”
Meanwhile, the NNPP National Chairman, Dr. Ajuji Ahmed has warned party members against indulging in anti-party activities.
According to him, NNPP has no faction as the logo, constitution and national officers of the party were domiciled with the INEC.
He urged the media to discontinue encouraging dissidents who had been expelled from the party.
Ajuji said, “What exactly is this occasion? It is the annual INEC verification exercise conducted by the electoral umpire on all registered political parties. As implied, this is a normal thing. However, something has made this year’s exercise one worthy of note.
“That is the fact that we have a group of expelled former members of our party who have made themselves tools in the hands of another party and are being used to cause disunity and disaffection within the ranks of the New Nigeria People’s Party.
“They have gone around spreading falsehoods and propaganda, unfortunately aided by some in the 4th estate of the realm. They claim that the management of the party has been handed over to them.
“Well ladies and gentlemen, the fact that the electoral umpire, the regulator of parties, INEC, has come here today to perform their statutory duty, shows that we have been, we are, and by God’s grace, shall continue to be the New Nigeria People’s Party.
“Furthermore, we intend to continue to play our role as the ruling party in Kano state, and a viable and constructive opposition in all other parts of the country. Let me sound a note of warning to our members.
“This is a democratic party. However, we shall not tolerate members who engage in anti-party activities to do so with impunity. No matter how highly placed, all members are expected to remain disciplined and operate within the ambit of our constitution.
“The internal mechanisms of our party shall be guarded jealously.
The NNPP National Legal Adviser, Robort Hon on his part dismissed the judgement being paraded by the alleged faction of NNPP obtained from Abia state.
