Daily Independent (Lagos)
Maxwell Oditta
10 July 2009
Lagos — Umbrella body of opposition parties, Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), on Thursday called on President Barack Obama of the United States who arrive Ghana today to urge his Nigerian counterpart, President, Umaru Yar'Adua, to embark on genuine electoral reforms he promised at the inception of his administration.
The CNPP in a letter to Washington signed by its Chairman, Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, noted that democracy was sliding into a one-party and quasi-dictatorship in Nigeria.
"Mr. President, it is regrettable to note that as Nigeria moves towards the 2011 general elections, the high hopes raised by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, during his inauguration to embark on genuine electoral reform is fading.
"This is consequent upon 360 degrees detour from President Yar'Adua who after convening an Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) with granite terms of reference, which was religiously followed, turned round to submit tepid and self-serving Electoral Constitution Bills which are at variance with the core ERC recommendations.
"We solicit your support to appeal to President Umaru Musa Yaradua to honour the pledge to embark on genuine electoral reform that will deepen our democracy, raise the quality and standard of our elections he made to Nigerians and also appeal for the release of the Halliburton court transcripts," Musa stated.
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