The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen has reaffirmed the commitment of the house to giving Nigeria a more acceptable constitution.
Tajudeen gave the assurance on Tuesday, while responding to a point of order on the Electoral Act, raised by Rep. Peter Uzokwe, representing Nnewi South/Ekwusigo, Federal Constituency in Anambra.
The speaker reminded Uzokwe and the house that the Electoral Act was already under review.
“We are in the process of amending the act, and next week is dedicated to a clause-by-clause consideration of all relevant provisions and proposed amendments,” he said.
Uzokwe raised a point of order during plenary, regarding the presence of INEC at political party conventions and congresses.
Citing section 82(1) of the electoral Act, Uzokwe said it did not provide for a mandatory presence of INEC at party conventions as speculated in some quarters.
He said that such provision was not expressly stated in the act.
“When we go out, the impression people give is that INEC must be present in conventions and congresses of political parties.
“I intend to guide members to Section 82(1) of the Act to clarify the matter,” he said.
Rep. Okey-Joey Onuakalusi (Oshodi/Isolo, Lagos), urged the house to give attention to the point of order as raised by Uzokwe, saying that it is a constitutional matter.
“Mr. Speaker, we make, protect and amend the law. When issues of law are raised, the house has a duty to hear them.
“The point raised by the honourable member borders on constitutional and statutory interpretation,” Onuakalusi said.
The speaker, however, halted the debate, urging members to wait for the outcome of the ongoing constitutional reforms.
