Uwajomogu: Move to Re-order Election Sequence Unconstitutional

By Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The senator representing Imo North senatorial district, Benjamin Uwajomogu,  has described the move by his colleagues in the National Assembly to re-order the sequence of the 2019 general election as unconstitutional and in bad faith.

Addressing journalists in Abuja at the weekend on why he joined his colleagues who protested the passage of the reordered sequence of 2019 general election,  Uwajomogu, said it was unconstitutional and targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

“It is my candid opinion that the 1999 Constitution 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 sState of the federation.”

When reminded 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 Second Republic and the Third 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.”

Although the senator from Imo State could not explain why majority of his colleagues voted in favour of the sequence in contention, he assured that both legislative chambers cannot muster enough to votes to upturn President Muhammadu Buhari if he vetoes the bill.

“There maybe different reasons, but be rest assured that when Mr. President vetoes 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 Buhari who is re-constructing Enugu-Okigwe-Umuahia-Aba-Port Harcourt, Enugu-Onitsha, Second 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.”