The National Publicity Secretary, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Mr Osita Okechukwu, said the crisis plaguing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) had subverted the core ingredients of democracy.
Okechukwu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday that the lingering crisis in the NGF was “very unfortunate”.
He said that the crisis had subverted the core ingredients of democracy such as free, fair and transparent elections.
“The NGF crisis is a bad omen for our fledgling democracy and a bad signal to 2015 general elections.”
“The crisis is more than a child’s play; it is highly worrisome, especially when ambassadors have reacted to the issues surrounding the NGF crisis.
“This is because ambassadors by their positions are not meant to interfere or talk on local issues but you can imagine when it so much angered about two ambassadors.”
According to him, this shows that the ambassadors have concern for the growth of Nigeria’s democracy, security and unity.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria had said that the crisis rocking the NGF was capable of posing a big threat to the 2015 elections if not addressed by the stakeholders.
Okechukwu said the ambassador could not understand why 35 governors in Nigeria could not conduct an election under due process of secret ballot system.
“These governors have portrayed Nigeria in bad light, splashed mud on the Nigeria’s image and made us look like unserious people. These are the fall outs of the election which are highly regrettable.”
He said that the crisis could not constitute any threat or cause disunity in the country, but it had subverted the core ingredients of democracy.
“It cannot cause secession or destabilisation of the country, the core ingredient of democracy is free, fair and transparent election where the people’s choice prevails and that is what they have subverted.
“This shows that the ruling party is not ready for free, fair and transparent elections; they are still embracing politics of bitterness.’’
According to Okechukwu, “we understand that the crisis in the NGF is also part of the reasons why President Barak Obama of U.S. will not visit Nigeria during his tour to Africa.’’
“This means that the U.S. president has not seen signs of democracy in Nigeria.’’
The CNPP’s spokesman said it was not too late for President Goodluck Jonathan to call the governors to order.
