By Time Nigeria
A governorship aspirant in Kwara State and former Federal Lawmaker, Hon. Moshood Mustapha has urged political parties to emulate the kind of internal democracy that led to the emergence of Chief MKO Abiola as Social Democratic Party Presidential Candidate for the June 12, 1993 Polls.
Mustapha, in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Abdulazeez Kayode on Tuesday to mark 25th Anniversary of June 12 and new Democracy Day, called on political parties to strengthen internal democracy in choosing candidates for elections.
He recalled how Chief MKO Abiola defeated the Chairman of his political party (SDP) Babagana Kingibe in the primary election held in Jos, Plateau State Capital.
According to him, “Imagine Chief MKO Abiola defeated Social Democratic Party Chairman, Babagana Kingibe during the primary election. This is an indication that free, fair and credible election starts from the emergence of a candidate during party primaries.
“In the spirit of June 12, political parties should emulate SDP in choosing candidates for elections. They should create an avenue for a level playing ground for every aspirant. Party leaders should also allow party members to elect aspirants of their choice without any form of intimidation, coercion or harassment.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship hopeful for the 2019 poll lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for declaring June 12 as the new Democracy Day and the conferment of the highest National Honours of Grand Commander Of The Federal Republic (GCFR) on the late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election. He therefore prayed for crisis-free elections in 2019.