A move by the Peoples Democratic Party Caucus at the House of Representatives to reverse the power of the Independent National Electoral Commission to deploy troops during elections failed on Tuesday.

The motion, which was moved by Deputy House Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, failed following an overwhelming “nay” voice vote against it on the floor.

The session was presided over by the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal.

More of the loud voice vote came from the opposition All Progressives Congress members, who responded with a deafening “nay” when Tambuwal called for the voting.

The development stunned the majority PDP members, who apparently took it for granted that the motion would be passed.

Only a few members shouted “yes” when the Speaker called for the votes supporting the motion.

By Tuesday’s decision, the House had stuck to the original proposal in the new amendment to the Electoral Act, 2010, which placed the sole power to request deployment of troops for election purposes in the hands of INEC.

The new provision is contained in Clause 29(1)(b) of the amendment Act.

The House had passed the provision before members proceeded for the Sallah break on September 30.

But on Tuesday, Ogor came with a motion seeking to “rescind” the decision of the House on the grounds that it conflicted with Sections 217 and 218 of the 1999 Constitution.

According to him, the Constitution empowers only the President to deploy the Armed Forces for operational duties or by delegation to the service chiefs.

He argued that the INEC Act sought to rest such power in another authority other than Mr. President.

Ogor spoke further, “By the provision of Section 218(2), the Constitution envisaged members of the Armed Forces of the Federation that the President can delegate his powers relating to the operational use of the Armed Forces in line with Section 218(3) are the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff, and not to any other institution or head of any other agency of government.

“Retaining Clause 29(1) in the amendment of the Principal Act is tantamount to ceding the President’s powers relating to the operational use of the armed forces to INEC against the provision of Section 218 of the constitution.”

However, the motion failed amid a tensed atmosphere following a heated argument between Ogor and the Minority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.

http://www.punchng.com/news/pdp-plot-to-stop-inec-from-deploying-troops-fails/

Politics in Naija...Dirty since 1500

But no be APC dey shout say dem no want military during elections before

now dem done dey reason abi

yeye people

thunderrider:
But no be APC dey shout say dem no want military during elections before

now dem done dey reason abi

yeye people

Reading and comprehending the post would have helped you to assimilate and understand what the message is.

The problem with some of us is that we don't bother to read as long as it shows APC winning a motion against PDP.

Nobody is against deploying troops, what we are against is using the troops to intimidate, harass, arrest and kidnap opposition elements as was the case in Ekiti, Anambra and Osun Elections. The power to seek and request for troop is now domicile in INEC if they see the need and not with the president who feel he must do anything to turn the tide of votes against his interest and his party.

These Opposition will oppose anything provided it is coming from or supported by the ruling party.

House of Representatives are full of touts and thoughtless personalities who only represent themselves and have no recourse to think or be patriotic

Wasn't it APC with support from Falana, Soyinka etal that were crying foul and declaring Soldiers presence during election as unconstitutional and an attempt to intimidate the people by the ruling party?

I never know this was outright display of hypocrisy during Osun State gubernatorial election and an attempt to arm themselves with excuses in event they lose in the election.

Who are deceiving? They actually want military deployed so they can intimidate d people. Dirty game.

thunderrider:
But no be APC dey shout say dem no want military during elections before

now dem done dey reason abi

yeye people

Mumu.... Why u no even read the post before u comment?

Ngwakwe:

These Opposition will oppose anything provided it is coming from or supported by the ruling party.

House of Representatives are full of touts and thoughtless personalities who only represent themselves and have no recourse to think or be patriotic.

Wasn't it APC, Falana, Soyinka etal that were crying foul and declaring Soldiers presence during election as unconstitutional and an attempt to intimidate the people by the ruling party?

I never know this was outright display of hypocrisy during Osun State gubernatorial electoral election and an attempt to arm themselves with excuses in event they lose the election.

Oga Sir are you seriously blaming APC? Na wa O...Did you even read that post? Let me help you with the important points so you can re-read.

The motion, which was moved by Deputy House Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, failed following an overwhelming “nay” voice vote against it on the floor.

More of the loud voice vote came from the opposition All Progressives Congress members, who responded with a deafening “nay” when Tambuwal called for the voting.

The development stunned the majority PDP members, who apparently took it for granted that the motion would be passed.

By Tuesday’s decision, the House had stuck to the original proposal in the new amendment to the Electoral Act, 2010, which placed the sole power to request deployment of troops for election purposes in the hands of INEC.

But on Tuesday, Ogor came with a motion seeking to “rescind” the decision of the House on the grounds that it conflicted with Sections 217 and 218 of the 1999 Constitution.

According to him, the Constitution empowers only the President to deploy the Armed Forces for operational duties or by delegation to the service chiefs.

Can you explain this? A motion was voted for at the National Assembly and a bill was passed then the Speaker comes next month and says "Oh, I'm Sorry..I made a mistake, there's something I didn't see in the Constitution". What kind of big joke is that? And the only thing understand from the post is that APC is at fault

I quote you;

Wasn't it APC, Falana, Soyinka etal that were crying foul and declaring Soldiers presence during election as unconstitutional and an attempt to intimidate the people by the ruling party?

I never know this was outright display of hypocrisy during Osun State gubernatorial electoral election and an attempt to arm themselves with excuses in event they lose the election.

Yes they were crying foul, but they never said military presence in elections is uncalled for. Why would you have thousands of police men in a state because of elections? Are they fighting a war? In Osun gubernatorial elections I can remember there were some men armed to the teeth wearing mask, what are potential assassins doing in an election ground?

It will be to the good of all Nigerians if this bill stays like this, the INEC definitely knows the amount of military presence required for a successful election and they will deploy the later in the interests of election integrity and the safety of the voters instead of leaving it in the hands of GEJ who has clearly shown how much of a political bigot he his and will do anything that favours him and his party..even if it's to eat sh1t.

mistudreh:

Mumu.... Why u no even read the post before u comment?

Oga Professor sebi na only u sabi read and understand english

kindly read and explain to me in layman's language what the op meant

u ds loud mouthed bigot


for pete's sake can't pass your comments without being offensive?

pendy79:


Reading and comprehending the post would have helped you to assimilate and understand what the message is.

The problem with some of us is that we don't bother to read as long as it shows APC winning a motion against PDP.

Nobody is against deploying troops, what we are against is using the troops to intimidate, harass, arrest and kidnap opposition elements as was the case in Ekiti, Anambra and Osun Elections. The power to seek and request for troop is now domicile in INEC if they see the need and not with the president who feel he must do anything to turn the tide of votes against his interest and his party.

if u are one of those that comment on post based on its topic doesn't mean you should assume that I didn't read the post

my opinion and view being different from yours is also not an excuse for you to do same

so as a candid advice respect other peoples opinion no matter how radically their's might differ from yours

thunderrider:


Oga Professor sebi na only u sabi read and understand english

kindly read and explain to me in layman's language what the op meant

u ds loud mouthed bigot


for pete's sake can't pass your comments without being offensive?

Grow up kid!

mistudreh:

Grow up kid!

Yessir