Electoral Amendment Act: Buhari told not to join conspiracy, throw away bill

As reactions continue to trail the passage of the controversial passage of Electoral Amendment Act, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has declared Lawmakers in the upper and lower legislative Chambers as enemies of democracy.

The body said, what transpired on the floor of Nigeria’s Senate on Thursday and in the lower legislative Chambers on Friday was nothing short of conspiracy against Nigerians by lawmakers who Nigerians have now discovered that they don’t mean well for them.

The CNPP noted that it would amount to joining forces with conspirators, if President Muhammadu Buhari assented to that bill, hence, the document should be thrown away.

CNPP Secretary-General, Chief Willie Ezugwu in a statement he made available to Journalists insisted the leadership of the National Assembly is standing against the popular wish of Nigerians on a transparent electoral process.

The body expressed disappointment with the APC led National Assembly, saying that they have undermined the electoral process process by rejecting the demands of Nigerians across board for electronic transmission of election results.

The body said, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has effectively tested the electronic transmission of election results at both Edo and Ondo states governorship elections, adding that the idea of lack of network was a non issue.

The statement said:

“All Nigerians who hoped that the National Assembly, especially the Senate, would vote for an improvement in the country’s electoral process in a manner that will lead to freer, fairer and more credible process for the sake of good governance and the rule of law.

“It is unimaginable that a Nigerian lawmaker would vote for a statutory function of INEC to be approved by the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), a federal government agency under the full control of the executive.

“No political party will forever remain in power. So, it is political folly for a lawmaker to make law to favour his or her party.

“Worse still, we have seen the ruling party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) swap members and even candidates in an election, showcasing lack of democratic principles or ideology, even when there is no crisis in their respective political parties”, the CNPP observed.

According to the umbrella association of all political parties and political associations in the country, “for the Senate to vote in the Electoral Act 2010 Amendment Bill, that “The Commission(INEC) may consider the electronic transmission of results, provided the national coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the National Communications Commission (NCC) and approved by the National Assembly” is contrary to the powers of INEC to decide on mode of elections.

“Clearly, the plot to subject INEC’ constitutional power to conduct elections to the Nigerian Communications Commission and National Assembly will be contested in court if Mr. President decides to go with the enemies of democracy and signed the amendment into law.

“Section 78 of the Constitution provides that ‘the registration of voters and the conduct of elections shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the Independent National Electoral Commission’, and we urge President Buhari not to legalise this unconstitutional amendment.

The CNPP vowed to drag the matter in Court, if President Buhari goes ahead to sign it into law.