2019: Buhari, main target of elections reordering – Sen Uwajomogu

Amidst contentious reordering of 2019 general elections time table by the National Assembly, a Senator representing Imo North Senatorial district, Benjamin Uwajomogu, has described the action of his colleagues as unconstitutional, adding that the move was targeted against President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking with newsmen Sunday in Abuja, Uwajomogu said he joined his colleagues who protested the passage of the reordered sequence of 2019 general elections because the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria only empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do so.
“It is my candid opinion that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria expressly empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to  organise, undertake and supervise all elections to the offices of the President and Vice President, the Governor and Deputy Governor, and to the membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly of each State of the Federation.”
When confronted with the question that INEC derives powers from both the Constitution and the Electoral Act, he said: “I have flipped through the Hansards of the 1960 parliament, the 2nd Republic and the 3rd Republic National Assembly Hansards and couldn’t locate where they ever inserted the sequence of elections in their Electoral Act. I stand to be corrected.
“There maybe different reasons, but be rest assured that when Mr President vetos the Bill, majority of us will support the veto. It is becoming clear by the day, that wittingly or unwittingly their target is Mr President and many of our colleagues will realise their mistakes and change their mind. Be rest assured that they can’t garner the proverbial two thirds majority in both chambers.
“Let me ask you, what do I tell my constituency? That am voting against President Muhammadu Buhari who is re-constructing Enugu-Okigwe-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt, Enugu-Onitsha, 2nd Niger Bridge, Aba-Calabar,dualisation of Owerri – Aba highway among other federal roads. Roads abandoned for over two decades.” I believe that the South-east Geo-political zone will benefit more politically if we support President Buhari for another term of office.”

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