Electoral Act: Another Rep disowns controversial proposal

Another member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Andrew Uchendu, has rejected the controversial amendment to the Electoral Act 2010.

This has given rise to speculations that federal lawmakers are already divided over the bill.

Uchendu, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party from Rivers State, is the chairman of the South-South Parliamentary Caucus of the House. He is the first PDP member of the House to openly oppose the bill since it scaled second reading in the House and was passed to the committee stage two weeks ago.

He, however, explained that he was not speaking on behalf of the caucus. Only on Monday, a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria from Edo State, Mr. Patrick Obahiagbon, had disowned the bill.

The controversial Section 87 in the bill seeks to make members of the National Assembly automatic members of the National Executive Committees of their respective political parties.

But Uchendu told newsmen in Abuja that the proposal was ‘selfish’ and deliberately crafted to solve the internal problem of a “particular political party, the PDP.” He noted that Chapter Four and Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (First Alteration) guaranteed the freedom of association for all Nigerians.

Uchendu declared, “You are free to form and belong to any political association of your choice. Therefore, if you are a member of a particular association and suddenly, you are no longer comfortable with the structure, you can seek another association where your interests will be protected.

“This bill is absurd; it is trying to question the structure of the political parties. It is wrong to question the party that brought you to office. The bill is the sure recipe for the dismemberment of political parties in Nigeria. There will be many conflicts. Where do we go from there?”

He urged the National Assembly to allow political parties resolve their internal problems affecting their operations instead of legislating on such issues. Uchendu denied allegations that the lawmakers were under pressure from state governors to withdraw support for the bill.

“I don’t know about any governor mounting pressure on us; I am speaking for myself and my constituency. I consulted with the people of my constituency and they told me that if it meant that I would be the last person standing, I must not support this bill,” he said.

The lawmaker also advised President Goodluck Jonathan not to sign the bill into law if it was eventually passed by the National Assembly.

“I will advise Mr. President to consult widely before touching this bill,” he stated.

THE PUNCH had reported on Monday that a group within the House of Representatives had begun mobilising the lawmakers to reject the bill.
Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010111907446