Conference of Nigerian Political Parties {CNPP} has described the victory of Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s as signs of good omen for our fledgling democracy and harbinger of 2015 general elections.Spokesman of CNPP,Mr Osita Okechukwu in a statement today also congratulated Amaechi and “the 19 progressive governors who voted for him.”
“Gov Amaechi’s Victory is All Progressives Congress {APC}’s Merger at work; the Peoples Democratic Party {PDP} for the first time has been beaten in their own game, Mr Fix-It and all other con-artists, failed after exhausting their bags of trick,” Okechukwu said.
He added this “ means in simplicita that the latent and potent progressive forces and tendencies which coalesced to form the APC; were at work during the Amechi’s victory at the Nigeria Governors Forum’s election.
“For the avoidance of doubt, 11 out of the 19 Governors who voted for Amaechi are the potent progressive forces currently in the APC, while 8 are the latent progressive forces coming
into the APC sooner than later.
“It is a good day for Nigerian democracy; as we exit from the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s, African-Big-Man, Do-or-Die Era anchored on arbitrariness under One Party State to a Bi-Partisan Era anchored on responsive and responsible governance under two dominant political parties.
“We must as a matter of urgent national importance advise and caution President Goodluck Jonathan not to view Governor Amaechi’s victory as a personal loss; No, No, No, it is the triumph of true democracy.
Okechukwu advised that “As a statesman and democrat, Mr President should recognize and accept the outcome of the Nigeria Governors Forum’s election last night. He should not pander to the whims and caprices of bad losers, because of the collective interest of our dear country, and our fledgling democracy; especially now that he had secured Nigeria’s candidature, as Africa’s sole candidate for the UN Security Council.
“For a cursory glance at successful liberal democracies, shows that their constitution provides for multi-parties, while their polity is governed by two dominant political parties, where no
party actually rules.
“What rules is the people, their preferences and their tendencies; because the two dominant political parties provide compromise and clear choices in every issue where there is no
national consensus.
This is the first sign-post and the threshold we have earnestly yearned for in Nigeria, a stage where there is no African-Big-Man to dictate and where none of the two dominant political parties can win the presidential election with more than 52%.
“We cherish and celebrate the victory sign as a harbinger of 2015 general elections and sign of good omen for our democracy.
Meanwhile further details have emerged about the intrigues before and during election of Amaechi. In keeping with the constitution of the Nigeria Governors Forum, picking of forms ought to have ended by midnight yesterday May 23, 2013 however at about 3 pm May 24, 2013, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state sent in a letter of intent to enter into the race. Ideally this should not have been so but for the sake of peace and the unity of the forum, Governor Amaechi did not contest this clear breach,an insider said.
Governor Jang’s entry into the race was according to sources as a result of a decision by a few northern governors and some members of the PDP Governors’ Forum to pick a consensus candidate outside Shema and Yuguda. The thinking was that Jang might be less contentious. They also agreed to pick Mimiko as his running mate in the hope that this will sway the South-West.
When the governors arrived, the anti-Amaechi group’s initial plan was to insist on consensus over an election. They had hoped that this would make it possible for them to swing the votes in their favour. This position was thoroughly canvassed and debated ;but the governors decided to vote for their preferred candidates.
35 governors all cast their vote and the tally was 19:16 in favour of Governor Amaechi. There was no abstinence, but Governor of Yobe statement was not present at the election. Governor Uduaghan was returning officer for Governor Jang. All 35 governors who were present voted and the votes were counted in the presence of all.
Given the facts as we all know it ,said a source”It is unfortunate that Governor Akpabio is pushing out a misleading document that shows the signature of Governor Gaidam of Yobe state who was not present at the election and therefore did not cast any vote.”
