Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement measures to safeguard the survival of opposition parties in Nigeria.
Governor Yusuf, represented by Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, made this call on Thursday during INEC’s visit to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) headquarters in Abuja for its routine party verification exercise.
Highlighting the importance of a strong opposition in a democratic system, Yusuf said, “The opposition parties in this country are going through hell, politically. All these crises, left, right, and centre, are artificial. They are being engineered and sponsored. So, INEC should come up with ways to checkmate any untoward excess of any national government in power towards opposition.”
He emphasized that a robust opposition is essential for democracy to thrive, stating, “I believe a vibrant opposition is the oxygen of democracy in any given situation. Without any oxygen in the democracy, opposition is weak and dead, and democracy will fail.”
Governor Yusuf expressed optimism about the NNPP’s future, predicting the party would secure more electoral victories, including at the national level.
Meanwhile, NNPP National Chairman, Ahmed Ajuji, affirmed the party’s commitment to its dual role as the ruling party in Kano State and a formidable opposition elsewhere in the country. He dismissed claims by expelled members alleging they had taken over the party’s leadership.
“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 NNPP,” Ajuji said.
Ajuji also cautioned party members against engaging in anti-party activities, asserting, “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.”
Speaking on the party’s leadership disputes, NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, criticized a court judgment obtained by a faction led by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam. Johnson described the judgment as fraudulent and lacking legal merit.
“The judgment is a default judgment that was obtained by fraud and therefore liable to be set aside, which process of setting same aside has already commenced,” Johnson stated.
The NNPP remains resolute in its stance, reaffirming its adherence to constitutional and regulatory guidelines.
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