A former Chief Whip of the Senate (1999-2003), Senator Roland Owie has congratulated the Natiobsl Assembly for doing the needful to resolve the controversy around the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
President Muhammadu Buhari had vetoed the bill on the grounds that indirect primary election was provided in the document as the only mode of primary for political parties.
Buhari had raised a number of concerns and problems associated with the indirect primary election in declining to give his assent to the bill.
He had in an interview last week expressed his dispositions to options from which the parties could choose.
The National Assembly revisited the document on Wednesday instead of embracing the option of overriding the President’s veto by providing options for party primary elections modes.
Senate Owie in a swift riposte on Wednesday said: “I wish to congratulate my colleagues in the National Assembly for listening to the voices of reason and allowing political parties freehand in the nominations of their candidates.
“They should also ensure that ELECTRONIC TRANSFER of RESULTS is included in the Electoral amendment.
“An Edo parable says: “A GHAGIOBO, AVBE GHA-GIE OSUNEREN” that is- “WHEN A NATIVE DOCTOR IS BEING LAUGHED AT, HIS JUJU IS ALSO BEING LAUGHED AT.”
“That is why your negative or postitive actions have consequences on the entire Legislative family, serving and non-serving.”
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