…Omo-Agege, Gbajabiamila Speak
By Dwelleth Ofei
Even though it is becoming an acknowledged fact that we are slowly and gradually being consumed by the crises of the moment: armed banditry, ritual killings, coordinated armed robbery, kidnapping, child/female abuse, drug war, war within as orchestrated in the North-east and North-west by Boko Haram and ISWAP etc across the country, President Muhammadu Buhari has finally moved to sign the long-awaited Electoral Bill into an Act.
Speaking on what the assent portends for Nigeria at such a critical moment, the Deputy Senate President (DSP), of the Senate, Mr. Ovie Omo-Agege, affirmed that indeed, President has written his name in gold, even as the Speaker of the House of Representatives averred that history will stand on the side of President Buhari for the bold and patriotic move especially as 2023 beckons.
Reacting to the signing of the Electoral Bill on Friday, Mr. Yomi Odunuga, who is Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the DSP, said his boss expressed delight that the country would go into the next general election with a new electoral legal framework.
At the same time, Gbajabiamila lauded Buhari for assenting to the Electoral Bill, which has come into legal force.
Emphatically Mr. Lanre Lasisi, quoted his boss as saying that Nigeria’s democracy stands to gain a lot
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Gbajabiamila has therefore commended President Buhari for assenting to the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill passed by the National Assembly.
Gbajabiamila, said the president’s action was in line with the All Progressives Congress (APC) determination to bequeath a legacy of an improved democracy to Nigerians.
Gbajabiamila also commended his colleagues in the National Assembly for standing firm to ensure that the country has a new electoral law that Nigerians would be proud of and for passing another landmark legislation.
The speaker, according to Lasisi, noted that the new law is a collaborative effort by all stakeholders of Civil Society rganisations (CSOs), Labour, the Media, the Independent National Electoral Commission and others, adding that this is what happens when all stakeholders work together in the best interest of the country.
He said with the signing into law of the new electoral law, the Nigerian electorate would witness an improvement in the country’s electoral process.
He urged all stakeholders, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that it commences the implementation of the new law in earnest so as to have better elections next year.
On why, Buhari’s name is being etched on gold, Omo-Agege, said, his assent has removed uncertainty concerning the conduct of the 2023 general elections, stressing that the new law addresses many loopholes in our electoral system.
Odunuga, quoted his principal as recalling that although the process under the Eighth Senate was fraught with mutual suspicions and bitterness, electoral reform for the Ninth National Assembly remains a priority in its legislative agenda.
“The 9th Senate had promised to bequeath a lasting legacy to Nigerians. Today’s development adds to the list of historic legislations that have defiled previous Assemblies, which the 9th Senate has passed.
“They include: the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract (Amendment) Act, Petroleum Industry Act, Company And Allied Matters Act and a host of others.
“Without a doubt, a good legal framework helps to create elections with integrity and electoral integrity helps to enhance democratic consolidation and the preparation and conduct of elections democratically.
“The signing of the bill into law would ensure early release of election funds to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), electronic voter accreditation and transmission of results, procedures for local government elections across the country are regulated by the new Electoral Act, early conduct of party primaries and submission of candidates’ list, early commencement of campaigns among others.” he said.