The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has responded to Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s defection from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
They are urging Senate President Godswill Akpabio to declare Senator Ubah’s seat vacant, citing Section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The CNPP described Senator Ubah’s move as a possible plea bargain with the APC due to unresolved corruption allegations.
In a statement by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, James Ezema, the CNPP pledged to rally with civil society organisations after 14 days to pressure the Senate President to vacate Senator Ubah’s seat. Additionally, they expressed their intent to push the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reexamine the pending corruption allegations against the Capital Oil Boss. The CNPP argues that the APC’s practice of forgiving the transgressions of defectors hampers democracy’s progress and undermines the rule of law in Nigeria.
The CNPP noted that Senator Ubah’s defection and the withdrawal of the Federal High Court case of alleged N135bn indebtedness brought against him and his company, Capital Oil and Gas Limited, by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) happened almost within 48 hours.
“Nigerians have every reason to believe that the APC government cleared Senator Ubah and Capital Oil to pave way for his immediate defection to the ruling party,” the CNPP said.
The CNPP also described Senator Ubah’s claim of being impressed by President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda as “a false reason.”
“Senator Ubah had also claimed that the APC’s commitment to good governance, economic development and social progress were part of the reasons for his defection whereas the provisions of section 68 of the constitution are very clear on cross-carpeting by elected National Assembly members,” the CNPP said.
“Every informed observer can quickly deduce that it was a type of ‘defect and have your sins forgiven arrangement’, in attempt to rob the people of Anambra South Senatorial District who voted YPP of their constitutional rights to choose a political party to vote into any position,” the CNPP added.
The CNPP also vowed to rally allied civil society organisations after 14 days to compel the EFCC to reopen cases against the Senator, despite whatever perceived defection arrangements between Senator Ubah and APC’s hierarchy.
“No stone will be left unturned until the N43 billion subsidy fraud by the EFCC is reopened,” the CNPP said.
The CNPP also called on the EFCC to explain to Nigerians why it has yet to charge Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and his company to court since 2017, leaving Nigerians to continue to suffer while persons accused of looting public funds continue to remain in office rather than prison.
