Opposition parties reject proposed amendment

More opposition parties have condemned the proposed amendment of the Electoral Act 2010 to include members of the National Assembly in the National Executive Committee (NEC) of their respective parties.

Two separate bills are currently before the Senate and the House of Representatives seeking the amendment of Section 87 of the Act to make the 469 federal lawmakers part of the NECs of their parties. The NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the 63 recognised parties.

While sending goodwill message to the Muslims in the country on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Citizens Popular Party (CPP) said the proposed law is an attempt to undermine the democratic process.

A statement by the CPP’s national chairman, Maxi Okwu, said the bill, which has scaled through second reading in both chambers, is not only provocative, but an affront on the collective will of the people. It asked Nigerians to resist the bill because it is self-serving.

“CPP condemns the National Assembly attempt to undermine our democratic process by pushing for a Bill that will make them automatic members of the National Executive Committee of their respective political parties,” the statement said.

The party also called on all eligible Nigerians to participate in the January 2011voter registration, stating that a credible voter register is the foundation of a transparent and acceptable election. It added that the 2011 polls will provide Nigerians another opportunity to vote for credible, purposeful, and responsible candidates who will govern the country with the fear of God.

Also in a statement yesterday by its national chairman, Ngozi Emioma, the Nigerian People Congress (NPC), condemned the proposed bill, describing its introduction as legislative rascality. It noted that while Nigerians are yet to recover from the huge pay rise the lawmakers got, they are planning to impose themselves on their parties as members of the NECs.

“It is outrageous and should be condemned and stopped before our legislators turn themselves to tyrants and oppressors of the people they were elected to serve,” Mr. Emioma said.

The NPC national chairman asked the lawmakers to withdraw the bill immediately, just as he reminded them that leadership is a serious responsibility and the distraction must stop. The party, which congratulated Muslims on the celebration of Eid-El-Kabir, urged “Nigerians to use this occasion, which coincides with the country’s Golden Jubilee and the forthcoming general elections, for sober reflection and prayers for a united and prosperous democratic nation.”
Source:http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/5643194-147/opposition_parties_reject_proposed_amendment.csp