The Senate on Wednesday threatened to suspend plenary sessions if the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC fails to conduct all pending re-run elections into legislative positions in Rivers State.
This followed the unanimous adoption of a motion under matters of urgent public importance sponsored by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, PDP, Enugu East and Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South.
Moving the motion, Senator Ekweremadu said that failure on the side of INEC to conduct the re-run elections in Rivers State within the time frame ordered by the respective Election Petition Tribunals/Courts was in total breach of the Electoral Act and Section 76 of the 1999 Constitution, adding that the action of the electoral umpire in Rivers State was endangering the nation’s democracy.
Earlier in the motion, the sponsors resolved to “Call on the lndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all outstanding elections in Rivers State before the end of November 2016; failing which the Senate will suspend plenary till such a time the said elections are held and the people of Rivers State are represented in the respective Legislative houses.”
It was later amended to read that the Senate resolve to “Call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all outstanding elections in Rivers State not later than 10th December, 2016; failing which the Senate will suspend plenary till such a time the said elections are held and the people of Rivers State are represented in the respective Legislative houses.”
In his presentation, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu in his motion titled, ” Non- conduct of elections in Rivers State”, said, Senate: ” observes that in spite of her resolution S/Res/O16/02/16 of 27th day of September 2016 calling on lNEC to immediately conclude all pending re-run elections in the country, lNEC has failed, refused and or neglected to conduct re-run elections in Rivers State into the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.
” Also observes further that the failure of lNEC to conduct the re-run elections in Rivers State within the time frame ordered by the respective Election Petition Tribunals/Courts is in breach of the Electoral Act and Section 76 of the 1999 Constitution, thus endangering the nation’s democracy.
” Further observes that non representation of the entire people of Rivers State in the Senate and some constituencies of Rivers State in the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly is in breach of Section 14 (2) (c) of the 1999 Constitution, and endangers peace and order in the State.
“Further observes that failure of lNEC to conduct election in Rivers State has continued to deny the people of Rivers State their constitutionally guaranteed rights to be represented in the legislative houses where laws affecting them are being made, and has engendered palpable anxiety amongst people of the State.
“Aware that lNEC had successfully conducted elections in the North East of Nigeria, especially in the areas around Sambisa Forest in spite of the area having been acknowledged worldwide to be ravaged by terrorist activities.
” Also aware that INEC recently conducted successful elections in Edo State even after security advice from Police and D88 forced a rescheduling of the election date.
“Further aware that elections were held in Bayelsa State in spite of government acknowledged threat of militant activities that necessrtated provision of additional security personnel in the State for the elections.”
Contributing to the motion, Senator Ali Ndume said, “Imagine that we are about to discuss PIB without any member from Rivers State. Some of our colleaugues here today thought that they won while others believe that they did not win.
Let us remember that any of us could be in that position. If for whatever reason, elections were not conducted in my state, I would not be here let alone being the leader of the Senate. How will I defend my people, imagine the Bill on the NEDC, how would we have brought it and passed it.
Our colleagues are out there and it is not their fault, we have a new leadership in INEC and we know the history: inconclusive, inconclusive suspension and sometimes confusion. We have a capable government and we must get the voice from here.”
Also contribution, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, PDP, Edo South who noted that INEC must be called to order, said, “there is no way we can perpetrate inhuman treatment to a people that what INEC is doing in Rivers state. It is in human and National Assembly cannot sit and have this country tolerate this treatment, I support this motion, INEC should be called to other. This is no time for favouritism, so I ask that INEC be called yo order, I believe one month is too much.”
Also today, the Senate asked President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency appoint a minister from Kogi State to be part of the Federal Executive Council.
According to the Senate, the new Ministerial nominee would replace the late Minister of State, Labour and productivity, James Ocholi, SAN who died in a motor accident, March 2016 with his wife and son on the kaduna- Abuja road.
The decision of the senate was sequel to an added prayer to the Ekweremadu motion by Senator Dino Melaye, APC, Kogi West.
