Members of the House of Representatives yesterday rejected a move to amend the Electoral Act to provide for the extension of litigation period for election tribunal from 60 and 90 days to 180 and 240.
The Bill, which was sponsored by the Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Sumaila Kawu sought to amend Section 76 (2, 3 and 4) of the 1999 Constitution to extend the period in which elected officers are to be sworn in after election from 60 and 90 days to between 180 and 240 days.
Leading the debate on the general principles of the Bill, Kawu argued that the amendment would give ample time to the courts to conclude all electoral matters before them and correct the practice where some people stay for more than half the period of their tenure only to be ousted by the courts.
Going further, he added that if carried, the alteration will also provide for the development of good governance in line with the Legislative Agenda of the Seventh Session of the House of Representatives.
Speaking in support of the Bill, Hon. Forte Ifeanyi Dike said it would make democratic process more transparent by cutting out situations where the power of incumbency is used to the disadvantage of the opponent, citing examples where state resources are deployed for use when contesting a case against a governor’s election in court.
“If we are sincere about free and fair elections, we must work to create a level playing ground so that all matters pertaining to elections are fully determined before one is sworn into office.
It extends to somebody not having an advantage over those who contested with him. Having resources of office at hand to use against his opponent is an undue advantage,” he said.
Supporting the bill, minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said the proposed amendment will give effect to the recent pronouncement by the Supreme Court on the conclusion of all electoral matters within 180 days.