The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to protect Nigeria’s hard-earned democracy and ensure free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.
In a statement on Wednesday, CNPP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema, urged the government to reaffirm its commitment to democratic principles, warning against actions that could undermine electoral integrity.
“The Conference joins millions of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to commemorate the significance of June 12—a date etched in our national history as the symbol of the people’s will, democratic sacrifice, and resistance against tyranny,” Ezema stated.
He emphasised that June 12, 1993, was a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s history, as citizens disregarded ethnic, religious, and regional differences to vote in the country’s most transparent election, won by the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola. However, that election was annulled by the military, denying Nigerians the leadership they had chosen.
Ezema lamented what he described as a contradiction in the current political landscape. “It is ironic and regrettable that the same All Progressives Congress (APC)—a party built by political elements who once championed the immortalization of MKO Abiola and the restoration of June 12 as Democracy Day—has now become the architect of the systematic erosion of the very values June 12 represents,” he asserted.
While acknowledging past administrations’ recognition of June 12, Ezema cautioned that symbolic gestures must be backed by meaningful democratic practices. “Elections conducted under APC-led governments have consistently fallen short of transparency, credibility, and democratic standards,” he said, citing allegations of voter suppression, electoral manipulation, and compromised electoral bodies.
The CNPP further criticised the government for failing to enact substantial electoral reforms and create a constitution that institutionalises transparent governance.
Ezema urged President Tinubu to take decisive steps to guarantee the integrity of the 2027 elections, ensuring they reflect the people’s will. “The President must ensure that the 2027 general elections are free, fair, transparent, and credible—untainted by rigging, vote buying, voter intimidation, or state interference,” he said.
Calling for a “People’s Constitution,” the CNPP emphasized that electoral reforms must be prioritized. “Only through such an organic and inclusive process can we lay a solid foundation for sustainable democracy,” Ezema noted.
The statement concluded with a challenge to all stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, and political parties, to uphold the ideals of democracy. “Democracy is not merely a date on the calendar. It is a covenant between the people and their leaders—a covenant the APC must now honor, not betray,” CNPP stated.
As Nigeria marks another Democracy Day, the Conference urged reflection on whether the country is living up to the ideals championed by MKO Abiola and others who fought for democratic governance.
