Why we want lawmakers as members of parties’ NEC, by Reps

Sponsors of the controversial bill that canvassed for inclusion of lawmakers as members of political parties’ NEC said the move was to save the parties from “dictatorial and tyrannical” management.

Reps Igo Aguma and Cyril Maduabum sponsors of the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill in separate interviews Sunday gave explanation why “the vexed clause 87 which sought to include federal lawmakers as members of the NEC of their respective parties was inserted in the draft legislation.”

Bill not meant to serve personal interest-Reps

The lawmakers argued that the draft legislation was not intended to serve their personal interest but to attain a level-playing field for all political actors.

Aguma (PDP-Rivers) recalled that during the Second Republic , members of parliament were also members of the NEC of their respective political parties.

He said the arrangement enabled federal lawmakers articulate their party policies and manifestoes in a near fanatical manner because they were involved at the formulation stage.

Advocate Option A4 in 2011 election

Vanguard Newspapers