LAGOS- The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) said it wanted the Lagos State Government to give grants to political parties to enable them participate in the forthcoming council polls.

The election is slated for October 11. Addressing newsmen in Lagos, the CNPP Secretary, Mr. Austin Nnorom, said apart from the ruling party, all other parties preparing for the election were financially handicapped.

“We know there is no provision in the state electoral law for such grants, but we are only appealing to Gov. Babatunde Fashola to aid other parties,” he said.

Nnorom noted that out of 55 registered political parties in the country, less than 35 were contesting the council elections in Lagos due to lack of funds.

“The grant will create a level-playing ground for all the political parties and would lend credence of fair play at the polls,” he said.

According to him, the government should limit the grants to parties fielding candidates for the polls and which have met the electoral commission’s deadline for submission of candidates’ names.

Nnorom, however, warned that the CNPP would sanction member parties that failed to participate in the election.

“We issued a directive urging our members to ensure that they participate actively in the polls as failure to do so will lead to suspension and penalty,’’ he added.

The CNPP secretary urged the Lagos State Government and the House of Assembly to also make available the electoral law for the Oct .11 polls to political parties.
“It is only fair that