Dogara expresses fears over credibility of general elections
House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara on Thursday expressed fears that the loopholes in the 2010 Electoral Act might be exploited by unscrupulous persons to undermine the conduct of free, fair and credible general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Speaker declared that well – meaning Nigerians and the international community are worried about the possibility of undemocratic forces working to manipulate the forthcoming elections by exploiting the inherent loopholes in the current Electoral Act, unless proactive steps are taken by critical stakeholders to ensure the outcome of the polls are acceptable and credible.
In a speech to mark the resumption of the House from the Christmas and New Year break, Dogara absolved the National Assembly of any blame in the event this scenario becomes a reality,
saying that the National Assembly did its possible best to deepen the nation’s democratic process by providing mechanisms in the Electoral Act Amendment bill that would have guaranteed successful and rancour-free elections.
He however, expressed regrets that thrice President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent to the amendment bill, asserting that the general elections will consequently not benefit from the innovative mechanisms crafted the legislature in collaboration with international and development partners.
Dogara warned the electoral umpire and the police that Nigerians would accept nothing short of complete openness, a level playing ground and strict adherence to extant laws in the conduct of the elections.
“I believe that our intention to improve on the successes of the 2015 general elections through the amendment bill, is very clear to all fair-minded Nigerians.
“The spate of serious allegations by stakeholders, corroborated by some press reports against INEC and the police in the recent elections, which are already subjects of litigations are some of the factors that gave rise to public apprehension on the success of the coming general elections.
“We had intended, through this bill to minimise the risk to the survival of our hard-won democracy through responsive and timely legislation aimed at ensuring free, fair and transparent elections.
Nonetheless, as a parliament, we have done our best to guarantee the stability and growth of our fragile democracy, and I have no doubt that history will be very kind to us”, he stated. According to the speaker, under the present circumstance, Nigerians have no choice than to accept the assurances by INEC and the police to be impartial, efficient and truthful in the conduct of the elections. This, he said is the minimum that the country deserves from both agencies, adding that nothing short of complete openness, a level playing ground and strict adherence to extant laws will be acceptable. The speaker charged the President to reappraise the nation’s security architecture with a view to securing lives, national pride and prestige and to fight against unbridled violence. “We are all witnesses to the continuous deteriorating security situation in our country more especially in the North East, North West and some parts of the North Central. “Only three days ago, scores of people were killed in Sokoto State and elsewhere,” he stated, adding, that hardly does any week pass without reports of mass killings and bloodletting, either by terrorists or armed bandits. The Speaker while advocating for the highest form of decorum, enjoined them to show commitment to the successful and peaceful conduct of the elections and the sustenance of the nation’s democracy. Henry Omunu, Abuja
Nonetheless, as a parliament, we have done our best to guarantee the stability and growth of our fragile democracy, and I have no doubt that history will be very kind to us”, he stated. According to the speaker, under the present circumstance, Nigerians have no choice than to accept the assurances by INEC and the police to be impartial, efficient and truthful in the conduct of the elections. This, he said is the minimum that the country deserves from both agencies, adding that nothing short of complete openness, a level playing ground and strict adherence to extant laws will be acceptable. The speaker charged the President to reappraise the nation’s security architecture with a view to securing lives, national pride and prestige and to fight against unbridled violence. “We are all witnesses to the continuous deteriorating security situation in our country more especially in the North East, North West and some parts of the North Central. “Only three days ago, scores of people were killed in Sokoto State and elsewhere,” he stated, adding, that hardly does any week pass without reports of mass killings and bloodletting, either by terrorists or armed bandits. The Speaker while advocating for the highest form of decorum, enjoined them to show commitment to the successful and peaceful conduct of the elections and the sustenance of the nation’s democracy. Henry Omunu, Abuja
