cpc disowns buhari over jonathan

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in South East geopolitical zone has rejected the claim of its presidential candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari, that the April 16 presidential election was massively rigged in the area.

At a press conference yesterday at the party’s office in Awka , the Anambra Statecapital, the five state chairmen of the party in the zone attributed the failure of their presidential candidate in the race to the internal wrangling that rocked the party a few days to the polls.

The South East states whose chairmen attended the press conference were Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.

In its communiqué entitled: "South East Cpc Confirms Presidential Election Free, Fair and Credible" and read by the Anambra chairman of the party, Mr Chuba Ikeagwu, on behalf of others said they were shocked to hear that the presidential election was rigged against the CPC in the South East.

The communiqué, which was signed by the five chairmen, reads in part: "The South East members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) received with surprise the news that the just- concluded presidential election was rigged against our party in our zone. In all fairness, we wish to state very clearly that the 2011 presidential election was the freest and fairest election ever conducted in Nigeria , though not without minor hitches.

"As custodians of the party in the zone, we were embarrassed to hear that the CPC was rigged out in the presidential polls in the South East. It’s an indictment on our commitment to our party. Facts should have been verified from the leadership of the party in the zone before making an official statement on issues that affect us.

"Our position is not meant to slight or embarrass anybody, but to straighten out issues and appeal to those who chose to create disaffection amongst the peace-loving Nigerians to desist forthwith. We are neither deaf nor dumb and in the best position to present issues as they occurred.

"We wish to express our heartfelt appreciation to the INEC chairman and his team , the local and international observers and all those who contributed in various ways to make the exercise a success, especially the good people of the south east zone who trooped out to cast their votes."

The CPC chairmen, therefore, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to use this period to give Nigerians good governance, irrespective of party affiliations.