The House of Representatives
has warned President Goodluck Jonathan that any attempt to again shift the
election date from March 28 and April 11 to any other day or sack the chairman
of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega
will be resisted with violence by Nigerians.
The warning came as a result of a motion by Hon. Ali Ahmad, a member of the All Progressive Party (APC), from Kwara State, title "motion on threat to further tamper with the status quo arrangements for the 2015 general elections".
Hon. Ahmad, in his motion said that the current precarious security situation in the country occasioned by the Boko Haram terrorist activities was regrettable. He stressed that the initial postponement of the general elections for six weeks due to the security concerns related to the Boko Haram insurgency has further heightened the tempo for pre-election violence. The law maker said that any alteration to the status quo arrangement in whatever form at this crucial stage would invariable lead to further postponement of the date of the elections.
The warning came as a result of a motion by Hon. Ali Ahmad, a member of the All Progressive Party (APC), from Kwara State, title "motion on threat to further tamper with the status quo arrangements for the 2015 general elections".
Hon. Ahmad, in his motion said that the current precarious security situation in the country occasioned by the Boko Haram terrorist activities was regrettable. He stressed that the initial postponement of the general elections for six weeks due to the security concerns related to the Boko Haram insurgency has further heightened the tempo for pre-election violence. The law maker said that any alteration to the status quo arrangement in whatever form at this crucial stage would invariable lead to further postponement of the date of the elections.
He said, “That there is
already documented evidence from several sources that any change in status quo
arrangements, especially removal of INEC Chairman, presents a possibility of
violence and would occasion the sowing of seeds of a major crisis.”
Specifically he said that such removal will be unconstitutional, given the decision of the Supreme Court that removal of Chairman or members of such an independent electoral body as INEC pursuant to S.157(1) of the constitution can only be achieved when two things happened, vizier: for his inability to discharge the functions of the office, or ( b ) for misconduct, as determine by 2/3 majority of the Senate.
Furthermore, he said any such deliberately induced violence may snowball into violence as it did in 2011 post election period. He said this could result into serious crimes of concern to the international community, as contained in Article 5 of the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, to which Nigeria is a signatory.
He urged the political class, government of the federation, states and security agencies to heed the warning of imminent and present danger associated with any interference with the existing schedules of the general elections.
As soon as Hon. Ahmad finished reading his motion, the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Leo Ogor, opposing the motion, said order 62 of the House rules does not allow for speculations, stressing that all Hon. Ahmad has said was based on speculation.
Specifically he said that such removal will be unconstitutional, given the decision of the Supreme Court that removal of Chairman or members of such an independent electoral body as INEC pursuant to S.157(1) of the constitution can only be achieved when two things happened, vizier: for his inability to discharge the functions of the office, or ( b ) for misconduct, as determine by 2/3 majority of the Senate.
Furthermore, he said any such deliberately induced violence may snowball into violence as it did in 2011 post election period. He said this could result into serious crimes of concern to the international community, as contained in Article 5 of the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, to which Nigeria is a signatory.
He urged the political class, government of the federation, states and security agencies to heed the warning of imminent and present danger associated with any interference with the existing schedules of the general elections.
As soon as Hon. Ahmad finished reading his motion, the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Leo Ogor, opposing the motion, said order 62 of the House rules does not allow for speculations, stressing that all Hon. Ahmad has said was based on speculation.
But the Speaker of the House Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, ruled against the point of order saying, “Deputy Leader, unfortunately I have to rule you out of order I don't think there is any need to debate the motion,” and the motion was passed by majority voice vote.
Comments
Post a Comment