COMMITTEE FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEOPLES MANDATE (CPPM)
10 Afolabi Lesi Street, Ilupeju, Lagos
Telephone: 08023172694, 07033853232
Email: cppmandate@gmail.com
05/02/2015

PRESS STATEMENT

CALLS FOR POSTPONEMENT OF FEBRUARY 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS AS A COUP AGAINST DEMOCRACY

The Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) condemns in strong terms the irrational, irresponsible, unconstitutional, illegal, undemocratic, provocative, invitation to anarchy and treasonable calls in some quarters for the postponement of the 2015 general elections.

We regard these calls and protest marches against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as state sponsored, a threat to the Electoral Act, national peace, unity and security which is irresponsible and unacceptable.

The dates for the election was scheduled in consonance with the provisions of the Electoral Act with regards to conduct of elections and resolutions of disputes before the swearing in of the winner. Thus, any attempt to illegally and unconstitutionally shift the elections on flimsy excuses as advanced in violation of the Electoral Act will not only be illegal but a coup against democracy which is treason.

The electoral umpire INEC released the time table for the elections over a year ago and put in place machineries towards actualizing its successful conduct even in the face of challenges posed by anti democratic forces and so far, INEC has restated its commitment to that date by remaining focused in ensuring that the 2015 general elections is free, fair and credible elections.

The political parties and other stakeholders have stepped up preparations in order to ensure a hitch free exercise. The international community have also played their part towards this process through moral and material support for a free, fair and credible election which is the culmination of the electoral process and so, the latest unpatriotic and undemocratic call is disturbing.

The anti democratic, threat to national unity, peace and security calls for the postponement of the elections is highly suspicious because of the fact that just last year 2014, INEC conducted elections in states like Ekiti, Osun and some bye elections and none of these elections witnessed a call for its postponement on the grounds of likely disenfranchisement of the voters. Those elections were conducted based on existing parameters of voters register and it is a fact that not all the voters within the jurisdiction of the election collected their Permanent Voters Card (PVC), and not even all, who had their PVC actually voted on election day, which raises the suspicion that these calls are motivated by reasons other than for democracy and national interest and thus, should be condemned and rejected by lovers of peace and democracy.

We are very glad that so far, INEC has remained on course towards delivering on its constitutional mandate to the Nigerian people by its aggressive distribution of the PVC nationwide and we must admonish that all hands must be on deck for a credible general elections.

We must also commend state governments who have keyed into this national assignment through support for INEC and the electoral process and one can only hope that the Federal government will take a cue on responsibility in governance from the states who have taken the lead instead of acting like the proverbial ostrich with regards to the 2015 elections.

Therefore in the light of the above, the Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) demands the following:

1. That the February 2015 general elections must hold as scheduled according to law.

2. That INEC must remain focused in delivering on its mandate by conducting the elections as scheduled.

3. That the Nigerian people must rally round INEC to succeed on its mandate.

4. That we say NO to unconstitutional postponement of the election under any guise.

5. That patriotic interests and groups like the NBA, NMA, NLC, TUC, Religious Groups and Faith Based Organizations, Civil Society Groups, Market men and women, Artisans, etc add their voice to this clarion call.

6. That the Nigerian electorates should go to their polling units, wards and other designated points to collect their PVC now!

7. An immediate investigation by the security agencies of this threat to the constitution and national security.

Eternal vigilance is the watchword for democracy.