Tinubu seeks US support for reforms

Former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as "dreamers" over the party’s plan to "capture" the state in the 2011 election.

Asiwaju Tinubu, one of the leaders of the Action Congress (AC), spoke yesterday when he led a group of democrats to the United States Embassy in Abuja to seek support for electoral reforms in Nigeria.

PDP Chairman Vincent Ogbulafor had on Tuesday told a Kano State delegation in Abuja that PDP must capture Lagos and Kano states in the next general elections.

Led by Tinubu, other members of Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER) on the visit include the facilitator, Ayo Opadokun, AC governorship candidate in Ekiti State Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Senators Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi), Abu Ibrahim (Katsina) and Olorunimbe Mamora (Lagos).

Others are former Minister of Labour Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, former Deputy Governor of Enugu State Dr. Chidi Nweke and 2007 AC governorship candidate in Bayelsa State Ebitimi Angbare.

Tinubu said PDP’s comment was "undemocratic" and "insulting" to democratic values.

His words: "They are dreamers; I don’t believe they can achieve that. They have already used the word that is insulting to democratic values and belief-‘they must capture’. They cannot capture it; they cannot.

"They’ll lose more states than they stole in the last election; they’ll lose power too, if they go the way of capturing."

Tinubu, who said there was a need to harness democratic institutions and individuals towards the entrenchment of an enduring electoral process, spoke on his meeting with All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) presidential candidate Gen Muhammadu Buhari.

"Of course, Muhammadu Buhari is a democrat; he was a presidential candidate two times. He is open to discussions; we have to discuss and work together on how to have a level playing field. It is necessary to meet a personality of his reputation and the need is there," Tinubu said.

Besides, he said the institutionalisation of a realistic and enduring electoral process through the on-going agitation for reforms was not only possible but in the interest of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Tinubu said: "It is feasible because it is easy. It is a matter of attitude and determination towards its realisation.

"It can be done in three days, not to talk of six months; the President agreed to reform this system and he has the opportunity now to build a lasting legacy for himself. It is in his interest and that of the entire nation."

On the motive behind the visit to the US Embassy, the former governor said it was to present the objectives of the group and seek America’s assistance. He recalled that the United States helped in no small way during the struggle for democracy.

He said: "The visit was to present what CODER stands for, our objectives, our national patriotic development that will bring about a level playing ground for elections, bring about respect and integrity for our country, the necessary change for the votes of our people to count.

"The reason was also to explain that as individuals, there is no other objective than to make the organisation the engine for change."

According to Tinubu, the visit was a success as the Deputy Head of Mission and Charge d’ Affaire, Dundas McCullough reiterated the US’ commitment to democracy and freedom. "We have been able to achieve, with this meeting, better and clear understanding of what we stand for, how the institution should be helped and the way to help stimulate awareness in the direction of the reforms.

"We are a part of a common world with a common conviction, trying to share common value. The US wants electoral system and they have shown commitment to democratic value, capacity building and institution development. They are committed to democracy and freedom and we have seen it work in their system as well as Ghana and elsewhere. It can work here."

Tinubu, however, noted the forum’s non-partisan position, saying: "We are determined and resolute for change. There must be a change in the ways we conduct our elections. People’s votes must count in this country."