The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has issued a pre-action notice to the Rivers State House of Assembly, demanding the withdrawal of the 48-hour ultimatum issued to the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Kenneth A. Amadi, Esq., the Solicitor of ALDRAP, argued that the ultimatum violates the principles of fair hearing enshrined in Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, and the case law of El-Rufai vs. House of Representatives, National Assembly (2003).
Amadi pointed out that according to the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2018, at least a seven-day notice should be given to honor an invitation from any legislature. He further stated that failure to withdraw the ultimatum would result in legal action being taken against the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The pre-action notice also called for a re-orientation training workshop for the legislators of the Rivers State House of Assembly to re-acquaint them with the scope and limits of their powers as prescribed by the Nigerian Constitution. ALDRAP offered to deliver such a training workshop at no cost to the Assembly.
Amadi emphasized that Nigeria is a democracy, not a dictatorship, and ultimatums should not be issued without regard to the relevant laws. He urged the Speaker and the honorable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to promptly and positively respond to the pre-action notice.
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