Sen. Ekwunife Apologises To Her People For Missing Important Voting In National Assembly

The senator representing Anambra Central in the National
Assembly, Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyom) has replied to a query
issued by her constituents, explaining why she was absent during
the voting for electronic results transmission.

Ekwunife stated that she is fully in support of the electronic
transmission of election results as she claimed her absence came as
a result of some scheduled programmes in her constituency.

She said: “In the last 48 hours, I have read and listened to
statements by some constituents who feel disappointed that I was
not present to cast my vote during the consideration of the
Electoral Act amendment Bill to allow for electronic transmission
of results during elections in Nigeria.

“I have on many occasions, stated my support and stand for
electronic transmission of results. I feel strongly that instant
electronic transmission of election results will address many of
the challenges in our electoral process and end the alteration of
results and electoral fraud during collation, which is usually
occasioned by human error or a deliberate attempt to upturn the
wishes of the people.

“My stand has always been that electronic transmission of
results should be mandatory in all polling units and collation
centres across Nigeria without exceptions.

“Even though some argued that INEC should be allowed to choose
or exempt areas where there is poor network coverage, I vehemently
argued against such positions, which in my opinion, would favour
some regions against others, knowing fully well that the South East
is one of the regions in Nigeria that have good network
coverage.

“I stated that if ATM, POS, Internet banking, and other
electronic transactions are obtainable nationwide, I do not see why
the electronic transfer of election results cannot be equally
achieved nationwide.

“I argued with respect to the situation where card readers were
used in the South East in the last general elections, while manual
voting was allowed in some other parts of the country, which
significantly affected the voting strength of the region in the
previous elections.

“While I consider the recent complaints by some of my
constituents as germane, it is important to state that my absence
at the time of voting was never deliberate.

“The deliberation on the electoral act which was supposed to
come up on Wednesday was moved to Thursday and was expected to
stretch to Monday, July 19, for voting.

“However during the plenary on Thursday, after some of us had
travelled, Senators present extended plenary hours to vote on the
electronic transmission in order to conclude it the same day,
instead of continuing on Monday, which was why the Senate plenary
lasted till 9 pm.

“However, due to my already fixed engagements in my senatorial
district, where I was scheduled to commission some projects,
including a 3-bedroom bungalow we built for an underprivileged
woman in Isuaniocha, as well as a block of classrooms at Community
Secondary School, Ukpo, and perimeter fence project in the school,
amongst other engagements, I had to travel to Anambra to meet up
while hoping to join my colleagues on Monday for the voting.

“Unfortunately it was not stretched to Monday as Senate
adjourned for annual recess.

“On this note, I wish to sincerely apologise to all those who
feel disappointed that I wasn’t there to cast my vote. I am not
someone that would stay or shy away from such an important
activity.

“As a servant of the people, I always try to meet up with every
of my constituency engagements to the best of my ability. However,
let me restate my position that I am absolutely in support of the
electronic transmission of election results nationwide and
committed to giving my constituents the best of
representation.”

SaharaReporters had reported that Ekwunife’s constituents at
Obosi in the Idemili North Local Government Area had addressed a
letter to the Senator demanding an explanation for her absence
during a plenary session last Thursday.

The letter which was signed by Engineer Goddy Ikebuaku and
Chimezie Obi, the group’s President and Secretary respectively
demanded to know why she was not present at the red chambers when
others cast their votes on the issue of electronic transmission of
results.

The group pointed out that Ekwunife was elected to represent a
people who expect that her presence at the National Assembly will
favour their cause, especially during important discussions such as
the E-transmission of results.

They warned that failure to offer a satisfactory explanation is
proof that she is one of such politicians who profit from
manipulation of election results.

The senator representing Anambra Central in the National
Assembly, Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyom) has replied to a query
issued by her constituents, explaining why she was absent during
the voting for electronic results transmission.

Ekwunife stated that she is fully in support of the electronic
transmission of election results as she claimed her absence came as
a result of some scheduled programmes in her constituency.

She said: “In the last 48 hours, I have read and listened to
statements by some constituents who feel disappointed that I was
not present to cast my vote during the consideration of the
Electoral Act amendment Bill to allow for electronic transmission
of results during elections in Nigeria.

“I have on many occasions, stated my support and stand for
electronic transmission of results. I feel strongly that instant
electronic transmission of election results will address many of
the challenges in our electoral process and end the alteration of
results and electoral fraud during collation, which is usually
occasioned by human error or a deliberate attempt to upturn the
wishes of the people.

“My stand has always been that electronic transmission of
results should be mandatory in all polling units and collation
centres across Nigeria without exceptions.

“Even though some argued that INEC should be allowed to choose
or exempt areas where there is poor network coverage, I vehemently
argued against such positions, which in my opinion, would favour
some regions against others, knowing fully well that the South East
is one of the regions in Nigeria that have good network
coverage.

“I stated that if ATM, POS, Internet banking, and other
electronic transactions are obtainable nationwide, I do not see why
the electronic transfer of election results cannot be equally
achieved nationwide.

“I argued with respect to the situation where card readers were
used in the South East in the last general elections, while manual
voting was allowed in some other parts of the country, which
significantly affected the voting strength of the region in the
previous elections.

“While I consider the recent complaints by some of my
constituents as germane, it is important to state that my absence
at the time of voting was never deliberate.

“The deliberation on the electoral act which was supposed to
come up on Wednesday was moved to Thursday and was expected to
stretch to Monday, July 19, for voting.

“However during the plenary on Thursday, after some of us had
travelled, Senators present extended plenary hours to vote on the
electronic transmission in order to conclude it the same day,
instead of continuing on Monday, which was why the Senate plenary
lasted till 9 pm.

“However, due to my already fixed engagements in my senatorial
district, where I was scheduled to commission some projects,
including a 3-bedroom bungalow we built for an underprivileged
woman in Isuaniocha, as well as a block of classrooms at Community
Secondary School, Ukpo, and perimeter fence project in the school,
amongst other engagements, I had to travel to Anambra to meet up
while hoping to join my colleagues on Monday for the voting.

“Unfortunately it was not stretched to Monday as Senate
adjourned for annual recess.

“On this note, I wish to sincerely apologise to all those who
feel disappointed that I wasn’t there to cast my vote. I am not
someone that would stay or shy away from such an important
activity.

“As a servant of the people, I always try to meet up with every
of my constituency engagements to the best of my ability. However,
let me restate my position that I am absolutely in support of the
electronic transmission of election results nationwide and
committed to giving my constituents the best of
representation.”

SaharaReporters had reported that Ekwunife’s constituents at
Obosi in the Idemili North Local Government Area had addressed a
letter to the Senator demanding an explanation for her absence
during a plenary session last Thursday.

The letter which was signed by Engineer Goddy Ikebuaku and
Chimezie Obi, the group’s President and Secretary respectively
demanded to know why she was not present at the red chambers when
others cast their votes on the issue of electronic transmission of
results.

The group pointed out that Ekwunife was elected to represent a
people who expect that her presence at the National Assembly will
favour their cause, especially during important discussions such as
the E-transmission of results.

They warned that failure to offer a satisfactory explanation is
proof that she is one of such politicians who profit from
manipulation of election results.