2019 POLLS: Opposition parties to reveal names of Buhari associates causing trouble

Coalition of Political Parties (CUPP) has commended the position of the Unites States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) on the coming 2019 general elections in Nigeria.

Accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of already fermenting troubles ahead of the elections, the coalition said that it will on Monday be “releasing a list of 15 Buhari/APC associates involved in pre-election crisis.”

The US and UK had in separate press statements on Thursday called for a free, fair, credible and violence free elections. They also warned that there would be consequences to political parties or politicians that cause violence or indulge in illegalities during the polls.

They listed the consequences to include visa restrictions to defaulters and their family members, restriction of access to UK based funds and prosecution under international law.

CUPP, responding to the development in a statement by its first national spokesperson, Imo Ugochinyere, in Abuja on Thursday described the US and UK as the true gatekeepers of democracy.

“We, the opposition parties, are in full support of this decision by the UK and the USA, the true gatekeepers of democracy,” he said.

It added, “This statement from the UK and the US couldn’t have come at a better time. We have on many occasions reiterated the need for this visa ban on perpetrators of election violence and we are glad that finally, it is going to happen.

“For the past few months, Buhari and his APC-led administration have tried to create many pre-election crises by spreading fake news about the opposition in other to instill hate and unbelief in the minds of innocent citizens.

READ ALSO: ELECTIONS: US, UK warn against electoral violence, illegalities, list consequences

“There are many cases, from their rally of blood in Lagos where they sent goons to attack citizens, to the arrest of innocent activists, opposition politicians, journalists, and the recent baseless lie by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, that the opposition is plotting to commission bandits and Boko Haram to disrupt the 2019 elections.

“All these are few of the many election triggers done intentionally by the APC to create pre-election crisis, and we will unveil the culprits on Monday.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now