CNPP reaffirms June 12 as democracy day

Christian Okeke, Abuja - 08.06.2009

THE Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) said it resolved after a meeting at the weekend and in league with all progressive democrats to reaffirm June 12 as the true democracy day in Nigeria.

The group lamented that the June 12, 1993 election had remained the only genuine election held in Nigeria notwithstanding what it called the country’s pretence to be in a democracy.

In a statement issued on Sunday, CNPP through its national publicity secretary, Osita Okechukwu, said recalling that the said election was conducted by the military made June 12 more suitable as the democracy day than the current May 29.

It went further to state that “because the peoples’ votes counted, sanctity of ballot box respected and the June 12 poll broke all religious and ethnic barriers made the date an idol.”

The group appealed to the National Assembly to as a matter of urgent national importance fast-track the electoral amendment, as 2011 election, according to it, would be a nullity without a genuine electoral reform.