The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to avoid any attempt to tamper with or manipulate the authentic identities of All Progressives Congress (APC) executive members in Ganduje ward, Dawakin-Tofa local government of Kano state.
Besides, the coalition asked the electoral umpire to remain neutral on domestic affairs of all political parties especially the internal crisis rocking the rank of the ruling APC in Kano.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, the leader of the coalition, Muhammad Abdullahi Raji said the warning became pertinent following an intelligence report indicating a desperate move by some elements in the Kano plotting to alter the list to include individuals who are not legitimate members.
CUPP stressed that APC Ganduje ward has validly elected excos whose names and identities are recognized by INEC adding that any unwholesome plan to manipulate such a list would be vehemently resisted.
Raji also highlighted a statement attributed to Yunusa Zakiri Sarina, the State Secretary of the APC, alluding to the forthcoming announcement of a new executive team, warning INEC not to succumb to any temptation.
CUPP posited that though Sarina acknowledged the membership of the Jaafar Adamu Ganduje led group in APC, wonder while the state secretary insisted the group is not part of the executive committee because there was no official position within the party hierarchy.
“In light of these developments, the CUPP urges against any interference with the lists under INEC’s custody, as such alterations could lead to disorder.
Furthermore, the association noted that while they have the constitutional right to modify the executive committee as they see fit, any changes made during this tumultuous period would insinuate a deliberate overhaul by the APC.
“The mandate of the CUPP is to uphold orderliness in the governance policies of Nigeria without aligning with any specific political party, government, or individual interest in this matter. APC should respect the rule of law and abide by the existing court order issued in Kano, matters of this nature should be resolved in court.
“We noticed that three factions are already in existence with each of them claiming to be executive members of APC in Ganduje ward, at this point, INEC shall maintain the sanity of truth by ensuring the legitimate excos before the 2023 election are protected because there should not be any change from what is already in it portal prior to the recent crisis”
The Kano chapter of the CUPP has already written to the Independent Electoral Commission on the matter to protect the principles of democracy and the rule of law