President of the Chamber of Representatives of the Electoral Affairs Committee, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, revealed on Friday that there is no existing law that prevents legislators or holders of political positions from disputing goodbye elections in the country.
Excmo Balogun, who represents the federal constituency of Ibeju-Lekki of the state of Lagos, declared that this in Abuja during a media chat with parliamentary correspondents, which underlines the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be truly independent and well financed to carry out its constitutional functions efficiently and effectively.
He also pointed out that there was no such plan in the ongoing electoral reforms to deprive legislators who serve legislators both state and federal to exercise their right to vote and be voted.
The legislator observed that the INEC cannot hide under the appearance of shortage of funds to deny the right to serve parliamentarians to participate in any partial election in the country.
While reacting to a recent statement made by INEC president, Professor Mahmood Yakubu when he begged political parties to begin presenting new candidates for goodbye elections in state and federal legislative positions to reduce costs, honey. Balogun said that INEC's statement was only a mere suggestion that still has no correlation in the electoral law.
“But that is not part of our electoral act, and it is not part of whatever we are considering for now, to make such law restrict anyone who falls.
“And personally, if I have to advise, it is even better to use service members who have experience in the field because if you talk about replacing a senator, you should be looking at a member of the representative to replace that person.
“And it is unfortunate that it has been a Byning choice. Naturally, after each season, each dispensation, most people who are played by a senatorial seat are usually former members of the camera.
“Therefore, it is unfortunate for this to happen, people die or some are due to resignation. But if such an opportunity comes, we should not restrict it to certain people. We should leave it open for everyone. This is a democracy; Let the person with the highest number win.
“That's what democracy is about. It is the number. So, we should not restrict it. And he is a technocrat, I could feel that he leaves me save money.
“But when talking about politics, it's not just about money. It's about interest. It's about what people want. Then, let the desire of the people prevail in each federal constituency and senatorial district, and even in Nigeria in general.
“As I said, it is not part of our law, so it is advice. Therefore, you take the advice if it is convenient for you, or do not take it.
“The Council is not a law. And I don't think anyone who has a candidate who wants to vote will feel good if they say that their own candidate has been disqualified by the president of the INEC illegally.
“Then, I advise anyone interested in disputing to continue their ambition and let people in their own constituency make their decision.
“Then, I think that nowhere can that put in your law or have put it in your law for now, and I don't think you do. It will be illegal that whatever is excluded on such a basis. So that is my own sincere opinion, ”he said.
Excmo Balogun added that efforts are intensifying to guarantee adequate financing and financial autonomy. For the electoral body.
He argued that each eligible person has the right to dispute the elections, regardless of the office that currently serves or having.
Therefore, he urged all political and electoral parties to consider preparing legislators who challenge high elective positions in the country during the general elections, especially in cases of partial elections.
While noting that the experiences acquired in the legislation cannot be exaggerated, Hon. Balogun argued that it was evident in the past that most legislators who serve as that of Governor Douye and his deputy in Bayelsa, on Monday Okpebholo and his deputy in the state of Edo, among others, disputed in the elections won in the elections won and are very good.
Excmo Bayo Balogun added that such cannot be sustainable in a country where we have many out -of -season elections such as Anambra, Bayels Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo states, among others, where a senator and member of the representatives can want to compete Such elections in their respective states.