“Why Attack Senate Over Unfinished Process?” – Akpabio Hits Back At Electoral Act Critics

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has criticized Nigerians who are faulting the Senate over the Electoral Act Amendment, insisting the process has not been completed.

Akpabio made this known during the public presentation of the book: “The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria,” written by Senator Effiong Bob, at the NAF Centre, Abuja, on Saturday, said the Senate will not be intimidated but will do what is right to give Nigerians an Electoral Act that will advance democracy.

He explained that the controversy over Section 60(3) of the Electoral Act was unnecessary because the amendment process was still unfolding and had not yet been completed.

He said, “We have not passed the votes and proceedings; there is still harmonization but people are already on television sitting on panels abusing the Senate for something that is yet to be completed.

“We have not completed it until we look at the votes and proceedings. When we bring out the votes and proceedings, any senator has the right to rise up to amend it.

“We can amend anything before we approve votes and proceedings. Why abuse the Senate when what we have is incomplete?

“I can’t talk until they tell me drop the gavel. In this case, we are yet to complete the process. Why are people setting up panels on TV stations and abusing us? I leave them to God.

 “We will not be intimidated but do what is right for Nigeria and not that of one NGO. Retreats are not lawmaking.

“Why do you think that the paper you agree in Lagos must be what must be approved? I must state clearly that there is no fog or mist in the insinuations.”

Giving details of the last during plenary, Akpabio added, “All we said is remove the words ‘real-time’ to allow INEC decide the mode of transmission. If you make it mandatory and there is failure of system, there will be catastrophe.

“So, the door is still open for ADC, APP and any other to make adjustments. There is the conference committee and the votes and proceedings, which must be approved before the amendment is passed.

“Real-time means that there will be no election results in nine states where there is no network, or any part of the country where there is grid breakdown, it means there is no election.

“Technology must save and not endanger democracy. You put real-time in law when you don’t even have electricity in your community.”