Reps’ amendment of Electoral Act is a plan against Buhari - Doguwa alleges

Reps’ amendment of Electoral Act is a plan against Buhari - Doguwa alleges

- The chief whip of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, has accused the House of planning against President Muhammadu Buhari

- Doguwa said the amendment carried out by more than 30 members of the House was a breach of constitution, adding that the House does not have the power to change the election timetable

- He alleged that some members have mischievous plans against the party and that some of them have issues against President Buhari

Chief whip of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, has alleged that the amendment done by the House to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2019 general elections is a mischievous plan against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari.

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More than 30 members of the House carried out the amendment on Tuesday, January 23. The lawmakers amended sections of the Electoral Act, 2010, to allow National Assembly elections come first, followed by that of governors and members of the Houses of Assembly, while the presidential election comes last, Daily Trust reports.

Legit.ng gathered that Doguwa who walked out of the plenary in protest of the amendment stated that the house did not have power to set timetable for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to him, the amendment would make elections costlier for government, put INEC in a difficult operational situation and it went against the constitution.

He added: “I came to a point where I realised that the House was trying to stage a plot not only against my party, APC, but a plot that is possibly stage managed against the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who is my leader and from my zone.

“By the fact that the report contained some clauses changing the timetable, in the first place, it’s not our duty and responsibility. It’s a breach of the constitution. I raised my hands three to four times to the chairman of the committee of the whole, who’s the deputy speaker, and he insisted not to allow me to speak. It was on that basis that I walked out. Four other members joined me.

“I do not see any rationale behind splitting the national elections into three components. It has never happened, and it shouldn’t happen this time around considering the economic situation the country is facing. It is also intended to make the process a difficult one for government and INEC."

According to him, only INEC has the mandate to set out timetable and timeline for elections as provided for in the constitution. He said the House has no power to set the timetable.

“Of course we have the right to set the legal framework in the Electoral Act. But we can’t set the timing and timetable. To the best of my understanding, we don’t have the powers. It’s like we’re crossing some red lines.

“It is simply because some members have mischievous plans against the party, APC, and some of them have issues against Mr President. I don’t think this is a plan that can even work out. It’s selfish, mischievous. I want to plead with the president not to assent to it.

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“The consideration was done at a time when members virtually were not aware. When you’re taking this kind of thing, all members should be aware. There should be special information to members. What happened on that day wasn’t the true reflection of the generality of the members of the house. If the bill is returned, it won’t see the light of day," he added.

Recall that Legit.ng previously reported that the House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 23, amended the Electoral Act to change the order of 2019 general elections’ time table.

This came barely a month after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the time table for the general elections.

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Source: Legit.ng

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