₦airaland Forum

[size=18pt]2011: Plot for automatic tickets split N/Assembly[/size]
Published on 20 October 2010 with 0 comments


COSMAS EKPUNOBI (ASSIST. POL. EDITOR)



As the Senate votes on new date for the 2011 election today, the Upper House yesterday washed its hands off the alleged plot to insert automatic return ticket for federal lawmakers in the proposed Electoral Act amendment bill.

Although, the Senate and House of Representatives were alleged to have perfected a plot to insert the right of first refusal for lawmakers in the proposed law, but the lawmakers were, however, said to be divided over the provision when it was brought up in a meeting of lawmakers at the weekend.
This was as opposition lawmakers saw the proposal as a plot by the Peoples Democratic Party ([PDP) to remain in control of the National Assembly for another four years.

A source, however, alleged that the decision by some senators to dump the toxic clause followed public outcry over the alleged plot by the lawmakers to insert right of first refusal for themselves in the new electoral law.
But Senate, yesterday disassociated itself from the alleged deal, insisting that it would only support any law that would benefit Nigerians.
Spokesman of the Senate, Ayogu Eze at a news briefing declared that Senate as an institution would not be part of any anti democratic law.
He said such a provision was never in the Senate's card, insisting, however, that the upper house would not support any law that would be self serving to members.

Eze said it is possible that some Nigerians may have made such suggestions as a matter of their right, but insisted that such was never in the agenda of the Senate.

He said the Senate will today (Wednesday) vote on the second alteration bill to the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. The alteration is to allow the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) more time to conduct the 2011 election.
The amendment, if passed, would require INEC to conduct the 2011 general election not earlier than 90 days and not later than 30 days to the inauguration of a new administration.

On Monday, Senate president David Mark had declared that May 29, hand over date would remain sacrosanct in the review process.
But Eze at the briefing, said: I know the media has been awash with insinuations and write ups that in the National Assembly we have plan to insert in the clause the right of first refusal.

I want to state categorically that that is not true. Nigerians are free to bring in whatever views they feel, but it will be the views of Nigerians that will prevail. This National Assembly is very patriotic and we will not make personal and selfish laws that will serve the interest of National Assembly alone as is being insinuated outside. We are not making any laws for ourselves.
I am not aware that that clause is being considered by any of the chambers or any of the committees or sub-committees that is dealing with the process of amending the Constitution or the Electoral Act.

On the second alteration bill to the 1999 Constitution, he said: All things being equal, we were hoping to lay it today and vote tomorrow. But our technical committee is doing their work and we are meeting this (yesterday) afternoon, it is very likely that we can lay and vote tomorrow (Wednesday), and then wait for the House because until they pass it in the House we cannot transmit.


http://www.champion.com.ng/displaycontent.asp?pid=1463