CNPP asks Nigerians to reject medically unfit, corrupt presidential candidates

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has advised Nigerians to reject any presidential candidate for the 2023 general election with precarious medical and corruption history.

The umbrella body of political parties in the country expressed regret that the instability of the polity and economy of the nation has been linked to the poor health condition of Nigerian leaders and corrupt politicians.

In a statement, yesterday, signed by its Secretary-General, Chief Willy Ezwugu, CNPP said: “All persons seeking to be president of the country must be medically certified and his or her medical test made public.

“This has become necessary if the country can win the war against corruption and reduce the amount of foreign exchange wasted on medical tourism by sick presidents.

“We have noted with dismay how some persons who are yet to legally clear their names of graft allegations, as well as those with rumoured terminal ailments, have been engaging in clandestine political consultations ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

“If Nigeria’s rating on the global corruption index worries the present administration, President Muhammadu Buhari, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies and stakeholders, including political parties, must do the needful to ensure that only candidates without corruption wrinkles or blemishes or ill-health are allowed to contest the 2023 presidential election.”

According to CNPP, every country with low corruption rating globally consciously do their best to ensure that no known corrupt politician held political offices.

“We strongly urge Nigerian electorates to shun any politician with baggage of corruption and rumours of ill-health to save the future of our children born and unborn.

“Our experiences in the last few years should help us make better decisions and choices in the 2023 general elections. We have had to bury a sitting President who was rumoured to be ill during political campaigns in 2007 but it was denied. We now know better.

“Today, our current President has been battling with illness since assumption of office.

“With two experiences, we would want to believe such rumours, until a medical report by a reputable health institution in Nigeria is made public by the aspirants or candidates,” CNPP maintained.