NASS RESUMPTION POSTPONEMENT WILL AFFECT 2019 ELECTION PROCESS – JOE OKEI-ODUMAKIN
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By Joseph Omoniyi
Human Rights Activist and President of Women Arise Initiative, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin has said that the shift in date for the National Assembly resumption might affect the preparation for the forthcoming general elections by the electoral body, INEC.
Speaking with The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Odumakin said, the Executive arm and NASS need to ensure speedy approval of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s proposed budget for 2019 general elections by burying their differences in the over all interest of the nation.
“The postponement of the resumption, without doubt, will have its negative effects on the preparations by INEC towards the 2019 elections.
“And I can confidently say, that this will begin to unveil itself in the next few days.
Okei-Odumakin plead with the lawmakers to prioritise national interest while performing their constitutional duties.
“As valid as the reason for the postponement of the National Assembly resumption may sound, the members must understand that the collective interest of Nigerians, majority of whom are not members of the political parties, must always take precedence over the partisan interests of our elected public officials.
“There should be limit to how far they must go in abandoning their job as servants to the citizens for their pursuit of ambitions.
“It is not too pleasant and the leadership of the National Assembly should urgently review this.
“There is nothing that prevents members of the National Assembly from participating in their political parties affairs, while at the same time performing their statutory duties,” she said.
Also, Lagos State Chairman of KOWA Party, Dr Abimbola Oyedokun, told NAN that with six months to the general elections, INEC might not be able to prepare adequately without the approval of its proposed budget.
Oyedokun urged the National Assembly to ensure that pressing national issues take precedence over their personal political ambitions .
“It’s unfortunate that critical issues such as the funding of the general elections have been left unattended to up till this time.
“The National Assembly is within its rights to postpone resumption of plenary, whether because of party primaries or any other reason.
“It is, however, surprising that a government which controls both the executive and legislative arms of government has been unable to pass such critical legislation less than six months to the general elections.
“It is time for Nigerians to vote in capable legislators into the National Assembly instead of merely endorsing the options provided by the so-called large parties,” he said.
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