President Bola Tinubu | File Image
CNPP: Today, elections conducted under APC-led governments have consistently fallen short of transparency, credibility, and democratic standards
By Valentine Amanze
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has joined many Nigerians in lamenting the state of democracy in Nigeria.
CNPP also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of betraying democracy in Nigeria, while urging President Bola Tinubu to deliver free, fair, credible elections in 2027.
In a statement issued by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary,
Comrade James Ezema, CNPP decried the elections conducted by the APC-led government.
CNPP lamented: “Today, elections conducted under APC-led governments have consistently fallen short of transparency, credibility, and democratic standards.
“From allegations of voter suppression, militarization of polls, manipulation of election results, abuse of incumbency, to compromised electoral umpires, the electoral processes under the APC have starkly contrasted the ideals that June 12 embodies.
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“Worse still, the APC-led government has failed to pursue genuine electoral reforms or support the evolution of a people-driven constitution that can institutionalize transparent processes and accountability in governance. The sacred principles of popular will, fair competition, and justice, which formed the cornerstone of the June 12 struggle, have been desecrated in the pursuit of power and political control.”
It reminded the Tinubu-led administration that the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) — one of the legacy parties that merged to form the APC — was at the forefront of championing MKO Abiola’s cause and the June 12 ideology.
“Yet, those very promoters now appear to have used June 12 as a political ladder to attain power, only to discard its ethos once they achieved their ambitions,” it said.
The group also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a key figure in the June 12 pro-democracy struggle, to rise to the occasion and lead with courage and conscience.
“As someone who bore the brunt of military authoritarianism alongside MKO Abiola and other patriots, history now beckons on him to prove that his commitment to democracy was not just about ending military rule, but about building and protecting the democratic order.”
June 12 is a date etched in the national history as the symbol of the people’s will, democratic sacrifice, and resistance against tyranny.
June 12, 1993, stands as the day Nigerians set aside ethnic, religious, and regional differences to vote in what has remained the freest, fairest, and most credible election in the country’s history, won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola.
The election symbolized transparency, electoral integrity, and national unity, but tragically, it was annulled by the General Ibrahim Babangida-led military junta desperate to hold onto power.
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