Election results: Avoid actions calling for fatal intervention to democracy
By Tom Okpe
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Femi Gbajabiamila has warned political actors to avoid actions or utterances that ‘ll set stage for interventions, fatal to democracy and gains made over the last two decades.
The speaker gave the warning in his welcome address to lawmakers at resumed plenary, after the presidential and National Assembly elections.
He said the House will resist any attempt by malign actors seeking to exploit tension.
The presidential election results are generating controversy and tension led by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and Labour Party, (LP) calling for the cancellation of the exercise.
However, Gbajabiamila vowed that the legislature and the country will defeat the cynicism of those waiting to see their worst predictions for the country, become real.
Gbajabiamila expressed hope that Nigeria will be at peace because the House will work through the law and due process to resolve differences, settle disputes and ensure peaceful transition of power.
The Speaker disclosed that the House will also begin to prepare transition notes at the committee levels, as part of reforms to build institutional memory and ensure continuity in governance.
“Our country has just been through a hotly contested general election. As we gather here this morning, the election results are still being collated and announced.
“We expect shortly to be informed who will be the next president of our Republic and the people who will represent Nigerians in the 10th assembly.
“Elections in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-party democracy too often devolve into fault lines, generating abundant conflict and controversy.
“The constitution of the Federal Republic and the Electoral Act that governs elections in Nigeria both define a framework of post-election dispute resolution and adjudication. This framework exists to protect the integrity of our elections.
READ ALSO: APGA accused of working to subvert victory of Ogbaru.
“It ensures that when elections fail to meet expectations, contested issues of facts and law can be resolved through a due process within a legal framework befitting a constitutional democracy.
“We must avoid actions or utterances that set the stage for interventions that could be fatal to our democracy and the gains we have made over the last two decades.
“This is the time, despite whatever disappointments we may each feel, to reject considerations of partisan and other interests, come together and make sure first, our country survives and our imperfect democracy continues its march towards progress and a more perfect union.
“This is the time for political, social, religious and economic leaders across the nation should work steadfastly together, towards ends of law and due process.
“We will resist malign actors seeking to exploit this moment of tension for their own ends. We will defeat the cynicism of those waiting to see their worst predictions for our country become real.”
READ ALSO: APGA accused of working to subvert victory of Ogbaru.
Gbajabiamila congratulated lawmakers who won re-election, particularly Nnolim Nnaji, chairman, committee on aviation, the only serving lawmaker in Enugu to get re-elected.
The speaker admitted that the Labour Party halt most of the lawmakers nationwide and consoled those that lost the election, saying it was part of democracy.
“Congratulations Rep Nnolim Nnaji, I heard you are the only serving member in Enugu that survived the Labour Party tsunami, that means you have very strong presence in your constituency. We are proud of you, for surviving the labour tsunami in the South-East.
“Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase I congratulate you on your victory. Those Labour Party supporters did well in Plateau State but they couldn’t remove a rock. We have a lot of casualties but that’s democracy, we will keep pushing through, until we get it right,” he noted.
