Senate threatens to suspend plenary if INEC fails to conduct elections in Rivers by December

THE Senate on Wednesday threatened to
suspend plenary sessions if the Independent
National Electoral Commission, INEC fails to
conduct all pending re-run elections into
legislative positions in Rivers State.
This followed the unanimous adoption of a
motion under matters of urgent public
importance sponsored by Deputy President of
the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, PDP,
Enugu East and Senate Leader, Senator
Mohammed Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South.
Moving the motion, Senator Ekweremadu said
that failure on the side of INEC to conduct the
re-run elections in Rivers State within the time
frame ordered by the respective Election Petition
Tribunals/Courts was in total breach of the
Electoral Act and Section 76 of the 1999
Constitution, adding that the action of the
electoral umpire in Rivers State was
endangering the nation’s democracy.
Earlier in the motion, the sponsors resolved to
“Call on the lndependent National Electoral
Commission (INEC) to conduct all outstanding
elections in Rivers State before the end of
November 2016; failing which the Senate will
suspend plenary till such a time the said
elections are held and the people of Rivers State
are represented in the respective Legislative
houses.”
It was later amended to read that the Senate
resolve to “Call on the lndependent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct all
outstanding elections in Rivers State not later
than 10th December, 2016; failing which the
Senate will suspend plenary till such a time the
said elections are held and the people of Rivers
State are represented in the respective
Legislative houses.”
In his presentation, Deputy Senate President, Ike
Ekweremadu in his motion titled, ” Non- conduct
of elections in Rivers State”, said, Senate: ”
observes that in spite of her resolution S/Res/
O16/02/16 of 27th day of September 2016
calling on lNEC to immediately conclude all
pending re-run elections in the country, lNEC
has failed, refused and or neglected to conduct
re-run elections in Rivers State into the Senate,
House of Representatives and State House of
Assembly.
” Also observes further that the failure of lNEC to
conduct the re-run elections in Rivers State
within the time frame ordered by the respective
Election Petition Tribunals/Courts is in breach of
the Electoral Act and Section 76 of the 1999
Constitution, thus endangering the nation’s
democracy.
” Further observes that non representation of the
entire people of Rivers State in the Senate and
some constituencies of Rivers State in the House
of Representatives and State House of Assembly
is in breach of Section 14 (2) (c) of the 1999
Constitution, and endangers peace and order in
the State.
“Further observes that failure of lNEC to conduct
election in Rivers State has continued to deny
the people of Rivers State their constitutionally
guaranteed rights to be represented in the
legislative houses where laws affecting them are
being made, and has engendered palpable
anxiety amongst people of the State.
“Aware that lNEC had successfully conducted
elections in the North East of Nigeria, especially
in the areas around Sambisa Forest in spite of
the area having been acknowledged worldwide
to be ravaged by terrorist activities.
” Also aware that INEC recently conducted
successful elections in Edo State even after
security advice from Police and D88 forced a
rescheduling of the eleCtion date.
“Further aware that elections were held in
Bayelsa State in spite of government
acknowledged threat of militant activities that
necessrtated provision of additional security
personnel in the State for the elections.”
Contributing to the motion, Senator Ali Ndume
said, “Imagine that we are about to discuss PIB
without any member from Rivers State. Some of
our colleaugues here today thought that they
won while others believe that they did not win.
Let us remember that any of us could be in that
position. If for whatever reason, elections were
not conducted in my state, I would not be here
let alone being the leader of the Senate. How
will I defend my people, imagine the Bill on the
NEDC, how would we have brought it and passed
it.
Our colleagues are out there and it is not their
fault, we have a new leadership in INEC and we
know the history: inconclusive, inconclusive
suspension and sometimes confusion. We have
a capable government and we must get the
voice from here.”
Also contribution, Senator Matthew Urhoghide,
PDP, Edo South who noted that INEC must be
called to order, said, “there is no way we can
perpetrate inhuman treatment to a people that
what INEC is doing in Rivers state. It is in
human and National Assembly cannot sit and
have this country tolerate this treatment, I
support this motion, INEC should be called to
other. This is no time for favouritism, so I ask
that INEC be called yo order, I believe one
month is too much.”
Also today, the Senate asked President
Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency
appoint a minister from Kogi State to be part of
the Federal Executive Council.
According to the Senate, the new Ministerial
nominee would replace the late Minister of State,
Labour and productivity, James Ocholi, SAN who
died in a motor accident, March 2016 with his
wife and son on the kaduna- Abuja road.
The decision of the senate was sequel to an
added prayer to the Ekweremadu motion by
Senator Dino Melaye, APC, Kogi West.