, the day President Jonathan signed the electoral amendment act at the Presidential Villa, Abuja , with him on both sides are: VP Sambo, Senate Leader Folarin, SA to the President on NASS matters, Abba Aji and Speaker Bankole. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

FOLLOWING public outcry, the National Assembly may throw open the debate on the controversial clauses proposed in the fresh amendment to the 2010 Electoral Act.

There were strong indications yesterday that members of the National Assembly have also asked President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party to stay away from the row generated by the proposed amendments.

It was also gathered that the Assembly members have foreclosed any discussion with the Nigerian Governors Forum on the amendment. The governors have through the NGF chair Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki said the forum would seek an audience with the leadership of the National Assembly to express governors’ misgivings on the proposal.

According to findings, the National Assembly may conduct a public hearing on the issue next week.

It was gathered that members of the National Assembly are unhappy that they are being scandalised over the proposed amendments, especially the expansion of the National Executive Committee of political parties.

The expansion seeks to make chairmen and deputy chairmen of committees in the National Assembly automatic members of NEC.

A high-ranking Senator, who spoke in confidence, said: "We want to lay our cards on the table next week so that Nigerians will appreciate our position.

"The governors have bastardised our democracy by hijacking party structure but we are on a rescue mission. We want Nigerians to come to our public hearing to state their side and also appreciate our arguments.

"Already, we are being crucified without the benefit of the doubt on what we are up to."

Spokesman of the Senate, Senator Ayogu Eze who confirmed plans to hold public hearing, said: "We want Nigerians to take advantage of the public hearing rather than making insinuations or drawing conclusions.

"The law is still in the process of being made, we are also amenable. We make laws to reflect the yearnings of the majority. If at the public hearing, we get superior arguments, the Senate will be guided accordingly.

"But what we are proposing is not strange. With the exception of two parties, most members of the National Assembly are already members of their parties’ NEC. It is not something strange. We are talking of deepening democracy, adding more voice and enriching decision making at party level.

"We are not making this law for ourselves because we will not be in the Senate or House of Representatives forever."

Meanwhile, there were strong indications that the Senators and Representatives have asked the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party to stay away from the controversy trailing the fresh amendment.

A principal officer of the House, who spoke in confidence, said: "We have asked the presidency to stay away from the issue to avoid being misunderstood. We also do not want any conflict with the Executive.

"We will also not entertain any intervention by the PDP in any form. At worst, the PDP could appear at the public hearing too to make its position known.

"We want to be as open as possible on this matter. We do not want any caucus talks on the 2010 Electoral Act.

"We will also not go into any dialogue with the Governors Forum on this amendment because the Forum has not been diplomatic in handling the matter."

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