Senator Orji reveals why Senate re-ordered election timetable

macfranc007 February 19, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 David Oladele

- The senator for Abia central senatorial district Theodore Orji has spoken on the recent re-ordered election timetable by the Senate

- Senator Orji said the re-ordered is aimed to fight corruption in 2019 general elections

- He noted that the lawmakers did not have anybody in mind when it amended the Electoral Act

Nigeria Senate insisted to embark on the order of election that is to be adopted in 2019, irrespective of the pressure coming from different quarters for it to have a rethink.

The senator for Abia central senatorial district Theodore Orji said the reordering of the pyramid for the poll is not aimed at anyone but to deepen democracy in the country.

The Leadership reports that Senator Orji who is the immediate past governor of Abia state, maintained that it aims to fight corruption in elections in the country.

According to him, ''The present government is fighting corruption and in the National Assembly because we want to lend our voices, we must do so through laws and amendments and that is what we have done.

''It is corruption if because a particular party has produced the President then every other candidate of that party receives a boost, to the chargrin of the electorates.

''That method breeds corruption because those prepared to serve the people will miss the opportunity and those who had other thoughts get elected and anything happens. We have looked at the situation and said no, something needs to be done.''

The former governor also noted that those who have nothing to fear will approach the change positively and also commend the National Assembly for a job well done.

He expressed worry that meanings were always read into actions sincerely taken by people whose major thoughts are on how to make things better and leave a lasting democracy legacy for future generations.

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According to him, this is not the first time such has been used in the elections and that the procedure was rejigged thereafter.

He said: ''I want to state categorically that the lawmakers did not have anybody in mind when it amended the Electoral Act.

''The amendment to the act was wholistic and covers the yearnings and aspirations of many Nigerians that have been complaining of the former procedure.

''Why are those complaining about the order of the election not complaining about the overall amendment of the Electoral Act. It is very funny when some people sit down to say it is aimed at this person or that person. Democracy and Nigerians were the only determining factor and not individuals.''

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, February 14, passed the conference committee report on amendment to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) act.

The passage of the report was followed by dissenting voices calling for points of order within the chamber.

The amendment to the electoral act, if approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, will uphold the change in the order of election as adopted by the lawmakers.

NAIJ.com special report on Anambra governorship election on NAIJ.com TV: