*President’s Aide Defends NASS
*Adedipe (SAN) Says Decision Of NASS Needs To Be Taken With
Pinch Of Salt
*Yusuf Ali (SAN) Says Rejection Of Electronic Transmission of
Election Results By Senate Raises Suspicion Of Hidden
Agenda
![image](/2020/10/lawreport.jpg")
![image](/2021/07/lawpv.jpg")
The Nigerian Bar Association has bared its mind on the National
Assembly’s decision to attach conditions to the electronic
transmission of election results.
![image](/2021/07/escrow-service1.jpg")
The Special Adviser to President Buhari on Political Matters,
Babafemi Ojudu, had defended the lawmakers relying on the position
of the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, that in some parts
of the country, connectivity could be very slow and unreliable and
that the results could be hacked
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Rapulu
Nduka, in an interview with the
PUNCH Newspaper[1], said the
decision to attach conditions to the electronic transmission of
election results had whittled down the powers of the Independent
National Electoral Commission.
According to him, the rejection of electronic transmission of
results is myopic and shows the selfishness of the lawmakers.
“The senators and our lawmakers in general are trying to make
laws that benefit them at the moment. As far as I am concerned, not
electronically transmitting these election results is a terribly
myopic way of thinking. It is sad that people just make decisions
or laws based on how they suit them.
“Some senators even stated that they did not have network
service in their areas. I believe that is just an excuse.
Telecommunications companies are profit-oriented. They should be
able to provide network service to Internet-deprived areas. I am
certain that those who benefit from a system, no matter how
selfish, may face the consequences tomorrow.
“The reality is that the legislature has the constitutional
power to make laws. However, making a law like this may be a way to
tie the hands of the Independent National Electoral Commission,
prevent the commission from doing the needful and belittle their
powers guaranteed by the constitution. Nigerians are not happy
about this. The law should be made for man and not man for the
law.
“Our legislators must take into cognisance how just the laws
are, how they affect the citizens and whether Nigerians are happy
about them. These are some of the factors that should propel the
making of laws in a democratic system.” Nduka said
Some senior lawyers backed the position of NBA. Ifedayo Adedipe
(SAN), recalled that the president of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan,
had made it clear from the beginning that whatever the President,
Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) wanted, the lawmakers would
give him. Therefore, the decisions of the NASS needs to be taken
with pinch of salt.
He said, “I can recall the obscene spectacle of the Deputy
Senate President kneeling down to greet President Buhari. So, when
you see such characters presiding over the affairs of the National
Assembly, you have no choice but to take whatever decisions they
make with a pinch of salt.
“I think the National Assembly is taking Nigerians for a ride.
The Independent National Electoral Commission is a creation of the
constitution. Therefore, any attempt to create any legislation,
whether out of ignorance or mischief, which is unconstitutional
should be struck down. Any legislation that whittles down the
independence of INEC should be discouraged.
“The action of the National Assembly is a joke carried too far.
If President Buhari signs that legislation into law, it will be
challenged.”
Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yusuf Ali, said some of the
functions of INEC revolved around things that would ensure
electoral integrity, including everything that must be done to
modernise the voting system.
He added, “The electronic transmission of election results
should not be an issue at this stage and I am truly surprised that
the National Assembly is not in support of it. We are in the age of
information, communications and technology. If the National
Assembly does not have any hidden agenda, then I don’t see any
reason why we cannot electronically transmit our election
results.
“INEC must be thoroughly independent as its name connotes. When
it comes to disputes in election matters, the commission should be
given the discretion to utilise cutting-edge technology in our
electoral processes.”
*President’s Aide Defends NASS
*Adedipe (SAN) Says Decision Of NASS Needs To Be Taken With
Pinch Of Salt
*Yusuf Ali (SAN) Says Rejection Of Electronic Transmission of
Election Results By Senate Raises Suspicion Of Hidden
Agenda
The Nigerian Bar Association has bared its mind on the National
Assembly’s decision to attach conditions to the electronic
transmission of election results.
The Special Adviser to President Buhari on Political Matters,
Babafemi Ojudu, had defended the lawmakers relying on the position
of the Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, that in some parts
of the country, connectivity could be very slow and unreliable and
that the results could be hacked
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Rapulu
Nduka, in an interview with the
PUNCH Newspaper[1], said the
decision to attach conditions to the electronic transmission of
election results had whittled down the powers of the Independent
National Electoral Commission.
According to him, the rejection of electronic transmission of
results is myopic and shows the selfishness of the lawmakers.
“The senators and our lawmakers in general are trying to make
laws that benefit them at the moment. As far as I am concerned, not
electronically transmitting these election results is a terribly
myopic way of thinking. It is sad that people just make decisions
or laws based on how they suit them.
“Some senators even stated that they did not have network
service in their areas. I believe that is just an excuse.
Telecommunications companies are profit-oriented. They should be
able to provide network service to Internet-deprived areas. I am
certain that those who benefit from a system, no matter how
selfish, may face the consequences tomorrow.
“The reality is that the legislature has the constitutional
power to make laws. However, making a law like this may be a way to
tie the hands of the Independent National Electoral Commission,
prevent the commission from doing the needful and belittle their
powers guaranteed by the constitution. Nigerians are not happy
about this. The law should be made for man and not man for the
law.
“Our legislators must take into cognisance how just the laws
are, how they affect the citizens and whether Nigerians are happy
about them. These are some of the factors that should propel the
making of laws in a democratic system.” Nduka said
Some senior lawyers backed the position of NBA. Ifedayo Adedipe
(SAN), recalled that the president of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan,
had made it clear from the beginning that whatever the President,
Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) wanted, the lawmakers would
give him. Therefore, the decisions of the NASS needs to be taken
with pinch of salt.
He said, “I can recall the obscene spectacle of the Deputy
Senate President kneeling down to greet President Buhari. So, when
you see such characters presiding over the affairs of the National
Assembly, you have no choice but to take whatever decisions they
make with a pinch of salt.
“I think the National Assembly is taking Nigerians for a ride.
The Independent National Electoral Commission is a creation of the
constitution. Therefore, any attempt to create any legislation,
whether out of ignorance or mischief, which is unconstitutional
should be struck down. Any legislation that whittles down the
independence of INEC should be discouraged.
“The action of the National Assembly is a joke carried too far.
If President Buhari signs that legislation into law, it will be
challenged.”
Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yusuf Ali, said some of the
functions of INEC revolved around things that would ensure
electoral integrity, including everything that must be done to
modernise the voting system.
He added, “The electronic transmission of election results
should not be an issue at this stage and I am truly surprised that
the National Assembly is not in support of it. We are in the age of
information, communications and technology. If the National
Assembly does not have any hidden agenda, then I don’t see any
reason why we cannot electronically transmit our election
results.
“INEC must be thoroughly independent as its name connotes. When
it comes to disputes in election matters, the commission should be
given the discretion to utilise cutting-edge technology in our
electoral processes.”