Senate President Ahmad Lawan has said that efforts will be
made by the National Assembly to amend the electoral act to serve as safeguard
against weaknesses identified in the law.
Lawan made this known on Tuesday at plenary, following a
matter of National importance brought by Sen. Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP-Kebbi), NAN
reports.
The Senate President described the judgment by the Supreme
Court on Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act as a landmark judgment that
vindicates the National Assembly.
He said further amendment of the Act would strengthen it
ahead of the 2023 general elections.
“Let me say that this is one major landmark judgment by the
Supreme Court, that the National Assembly had done their job and the court
upheld it.
“The idea of what method of primaries should be adopted at
the moment is entirely left for the political parties to decide.
“But as we implement the electoral act 2022, we are supposed
to be very observant of the strengths and weaknesses of the law.
“This law is supposed to improve on the electoral processes
and procedures in our country.
“So, it is for us to ensure that where there are weaknesses,
we try to come up with measures, amendments to deal with the issues of
weaknesses in the law.
“And, I’m sure it will come full circle when the 2023
elections are held.
“I have no doubt in my mind that all of us in the National
Assembly, not only in the Senate, but in the House as well, feel that we must
do everything and everything possible to make this electoral act serve the
purpose for which it was passed and assented to.
“Therefore, I believe that we should work tirelessly to take
note of those areas that we feel are not strong enough – that are weak points
in the law – with a view to strengthening them before we finally take our exit
in 2023,” he said.
Rising under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Orders, Abdullahi
in his presentation lauded the Ninth Assembly for resisting the pressure from
the executive to amend section 84(12) of Electoral Act 2022.
He applauded the Supreme Court for the clarity, decisiveness
and unanimity of its verdict in upholding the separation of powers principle
enshrined in our 1999 constitution.
He said the Supreme Court verdict was a major victory
towards true democratic governance anchored on the rule of law.
“In my view, the Supreme Court verdict should be celebrated
for the following reasons.
“It restored and anchors the power of making laws to the
National Assembly, and establishes a principle that once the President accents
to a Bill he/she can’t approbate and reprobate, i.e. he/she cannot go to the
courts to amend/reject the Bill in part or in whole”, he said.
Abdullahi, however, emphasised the need to amend the
electoral act to revert to the Direct mode of primaries.
“One issue still remains outstanding, and that is amending
the Act (after the 2023 elections) to revert to our earlier stance on Direct
primaries.
“Our recent nasty experience of the misuse of consensus and
delegate system has vindicated our earlier position on the merit of direct
primaries provided that a verifiable membership register of political parties
kept simultaneously at the Ward level and with INEC with all the necessary
safeguards against corruption and data manipulation, is put in place.
“As the political process towards 2023 unfolds, the National
Assembly needs to be observant of the loopholes and weaknesses of the 2022
Electoral Act.
“So that a comprehensive assessment is undertaken to provide
adequate grounds for making amendments to the Act before the end of the term of
office of the ninth Assembly in May 2023”, he said.
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Amend , amend , amend constition and electoral act is full of plasters.
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