Opposition parties on Sunday condemned a proposal by the National Assembly to regulate party primaries through an amendment to the 2010 Electoral Act.
The parties, including the Action Congress of Nigeria, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties and the Conference of Progressive Change, described the proposed amendments as self-serving and an invitation to anarchy.
A national newspaper (not THE PUNCH) had reported on Sunday that the National Assembly planned to include some ‘anti-democratic’ provisions in the 2010 Electoral Act.
According to the report, the provisions are meant to protect the personal interests of the federal lawmakers.
It stated that the proposal would make all lawmakers automatic members of the National Executive Council of their parties.
The report added that the provision would ensure that the National Assembly members were re-elected.
President Goodluck Jonathan, through the Director of Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation, Mr. Sully Abu, said on Sunday that he was not behind the proposal.
“The President has nothing to do with it,” Abu said in his response to insinuations that the idea was raised by the Presidency.
The ACN, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the plan would have a negative impact on Nigeria’s democracy.
The party, therefore, urged state houses of assembly to reject the insertion of such a clause in a bill to be forwarded to them for concurrence.
According to the ACN, the move is not only undemocratic but robs the parties of the opportunity to determine how their candidates will emerge. It said asking all parties to amend their constitutions and adopt the prescription for primaries was like prescribing one medicine for all ailments.
The statement reads in part, “The move is wrong. It is not for the National Assembly or Independent National Electoral Commission to tell all parties how to conduct their primaries. Democracy cannot grow through such regimentation. We reject it in its entirety!
Read More:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010110828093
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