Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has challenged the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters to focus on amendments that contribute to improving the electoral process in the country for the good of the society and not to advance individual gains.
The governor maintained that any legislation targeting to empower or undo particular individuals is misplaced.
Fubara gave the charge when he hosted a delegation of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters led by its Chairman, Senator Sharafadeen Alli and co-chair, Adebayo Balogun, on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary Nelson Chukwudi.
The governor said, “You are still working on your electoral amendment. I wouldn’t say much on that until when we see your proposal and conduct a public hearing where we will make our inputs.
“But, legislate in such a way and manner, knowing fully well that tomorrow, you will also sit here (executive). So, don’t do it because you are on the other side. And you say, maybe, let it be at the disadvantage of the people sitting here.
“Do your legislation in such a way and manner that when you sit here, those laws that are made can also apply to you, and you will sit and say, yes, I did the right thing.”
Fubara noted that Nigeria is in a trying time, and needs to be careful not to make costly mistakes that would erase any good work that has been done in the minds of the people to necessitate a fresh start.
He explained that the level of political awareness and the drive among the people to be involved in the political process is higher now than it was about 20 years ago.
He urged the lawmakers to be more sensitive to the realities of the times.
“Everybody now understands that political involvement is the key to a better and developed state. Everybody wants to be part of the system, from the local government to the state and the Federal Government.
“So, I am happy that we are doing this at this time; and not just doing this but taking the most critical aspect of the election: women. If we are talking about elections, it is not the men, the true votes that are counted in elections are women and youths.
“So, taking up this very delicate and sensitive subject to addressing the situation at this time, I think the National Assembly is trying to understand and to feel the pulse of our people”, Fubara stated.
He noted how difficult it is to conduct elections in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Ondo states because most of the communities are riverine and could take more than two days journey to access them on sea amidst the scare of being kidnapped or suffering boat mishap.
The governor applauded the committee for the courage to take on such a sensitive task of embarking on sensitisation of the people and engaging with them on the best way to ensure that they enjoyed greater safety during elections.
He said, “I believe that after this committee’s sensitisation programme that you are doing, it is going to help us have a framework that will help us get an amendment that will protect the interest of the women, protect elections in difficult terrains.
“Because most times, when elections are conducted, we will wait two days or more before results from different areas will come in. And when they come, at times, these results decide the total picture of the election.
“Considering this now, I believe that you will come out, and work out something that will help us solve this difficult problem.
“But, most importantly, to encourage women, give them opportunity more than the 35 per cent Affirmative Action, and something that will give them assurance that they should be part of this process.”
He added that his administration understands the importance of opportunities when given and what it means to give people opportunities to actualise their aspirations.
The governor, therefore, assured that whatever the recommendations they make, if they make it public, Rivers State will be one of the states that will first implement them.
He added, “But, most importantly, we want you to be our ambassadors. You are a visitor to Rivers State today. You have seen us. When you go back, you should also tell them that it is not those things that you are hearing. Tell them that Rivers State is organised. Tell them that Rivers State is focused, and the leadership is purposeful for the people.”
In his address, the Chairman, National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters, Alli, said they are in the state for what he described as the second in the series of zonal engagements of the people on the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act, 2022.
Alli stated that there is no doubting the fact that Nigeria has never had an Electoral Act that is as good as the one of 2022, but noted that as soon as the 2023 elections were over, flaws were noticed that needed to be addressed.
He said, “And, I must say without being immodest, that this is the first time this is happening in the history of the National Assembly. Because we felt that for us, for our people to have confidence in the electoral process, they should be involved in the lawmaking process, and we have decided to go round.”
Alli further said, “About two months ago, we were at Ibadan to talk to the youths and the traditional institutions. Today, we came in here, and it is continuing tomorrow to talk about the issues of legislation: women and elections in difficult terrains.
“We put this because, apart from the issues of the women and the youths; the South-South, because of the topography of the place (region), is one of the most difficult terrains we are having difficulties in conducting elections in Nigeria.
“And we need to let the people tell us how the challenges they are facing during elections could be ameliorated in the lawmaking process, hence our coming here.”
He solicited the support of the government and people of the state and the zone in efforts to fashion a workable electoral amendment that would address the concerns of the majority, if not all Nigerians.
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