2023: CUPP Sets To Transform Into Opposition Movement.

…Condemns FIRS’ Stamp Duty On Tenancy, Lease Agreements.

By John Nwokocha, Abuja

Rising from its virtual emergency meeting  of General Assembly of all members and Stakeholders yesterday in Abuja, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has resolved to transform into main opposition movement towards repositioning it for serious engagements ahead of 2023 elections, among other critical decisions. Stressing that “Nigeria is in dire need of an opposition movement”, the Coalition agrees that the party be repositioned “from a combatant opposition to an opposition that is purposeful, result oriented, focused, demand driven and providing alternative views to correct what is wrong with government in Nigeria-opposing policies that are not good for our country.”

In the same vein, in the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the Coalition also viewed with concern the need to rebrand and reposition itself towards clinching power in 2023 for the benefit of all its partners as well as for the development of the country.

The CUPP also resolved that its Steering Committee immediately hold a meeting to address the socio-economic situation in the country.

Consequently, a seven-man committee was set up to review the activities of the party since after the 2019 general elections and draw a roadmap towards the 2023 general elections.

Members of the committee are: Abdulsalam Abdulkadir, Co-chairman, Emeka Okengwu, co-chairman, Akinloye Oyeniyi, secretary, Jelil Tafawa Balewa, member, Usman Ikeleji Abdullahi, member, Alistar Oloyede, member and  Abayomi Runsewe, member.

In attendance at the meeting are: Chief Peter Ameh, secretary steering committee, chief Godson Okoye, Rask Eyiowuawi, Emeka Igwe Benjamin, Yunusa Tanko, Mark Adebayo, Ralph Okey Nwosu, Peters Olusegun, Eunice Atuejide, Akinloye Oyeniyi, Chukwudi Ezeobika, Charles Idehen, Anthony Don, Hamattan, Emeka Okengwu, Alistar Oloyede, Abayomi Runsewe, Usuman Ikelleji, Aye Georgina Dakpokpo, Abdulsalam Abdulkadir and Jelil Tafawa Balewa.

In a separate press statement the CUPP condemns the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) imposition of stamp duty on all tenancy and lease agreements, stating that enforcing the tax in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic nationwide lockdown that affected the country economy and people’s livelihoods is unfortunate and wrong step to take.

Describing it as outrageous, the CUPP accused the federal government of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians already impoverished by closure of their offices and businesses to contain the spread of Corona virus. “Millions of citizens have lost their jobs and many more yet to recover from the impact of this global pandemic,” the statement added.

Calling on governments at all levels to always show a human face in their policies and desist from making obnoxious, draconian and repulsive policies that will worsen the plights of the masses, the CUPP urges the federal government to further relax the COVID-19 lockdown, stimulate the economy by injecting more funds , execute capital projects, bailout critical industries, grant interest free loan to entrepreneurs affected by the lockdown and provide public services including regular power supply that will accelerate the country’s economy.