The National Chairman of the
ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, says he has
received several requests from political parties demanding funds in order to
endorse President Muhammadu Buhari.
Oshiomhole said this in Abuja on
Wednesday when the APC National Working Committee (NWC) received the delegation
of International Republican Institute (IRI) and National Democratic Institute
(NDI) led by former Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs, Amb.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
The delegation also included John
Tomaszewski, IRI Regional Director for Africa; Sentell Barnes, Resident Program
Director, IRI-Nigeria; Jessica Findley, Resident Program Officer, IRI-Nigeria;
Raymond Esebagbon, Deputy Country Director, NDI-Nigeria; and Sunday Alao,
Program Officer, IRI-Nigeria.
The APC boss said the judiciary
stopped the INEC’s attempt to restrict the registration of political parties
since the constitution guaranteed the freedom of association.
He, however, warned against the
formation of ‘democratic merchants’ who would be creating more confusion and
generating more heat in the name of freedom.
He said that a long ballot paper
would definitely pose serious challenge on the Election Day in 2019 with regard
to how people would identify who to vote for.
Oshiomhole, who appreciated the
concern of the delegation on Nigeria, assured them that the country under
President Muhammadu Buhari would not compromise the job of INEC, the judiciary,
security and anti-corruption agencies as allegedly witnessed under the PDP
government.
“It is absolutely untrue to
suggest that the security forces have been on our side. The second is to look
at common logic. The PDP were in power for 16 unbroken years. What this
government is fighting against today is trying to change this assumption that
it is either win or the system should go under.
“The President has had to order
that security of a governor who cried out be immediately restored. It is unfair
to suggest that such a President is not ready for a free and fair election,” Oshiomhole
added.
Responding, the leader of the
delegation, Amb. Thomas-Greenfield, said a lot of concerns were raised about
neutrality of INEC and security agencies.
He said they were happy over the
peace accord by all political parties during a meeting with the National Peace
Council ( NPC), stating that there will additional accord to be signed calling
on all parties to take any disagreement to the court once the result of the
election is announced.
He said the team had earlier met
with the President of the Appeal Court on some of the challenges she might
face.
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