Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Adewole Adebayo, has criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act, accusing him of actions capable of undermining democracy.
Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Adewole Adebayo, has criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the proposed amendment to the Electoral Act, accusing him of actions capable of undermining democracy.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Monday, Adebayo said the provision in the proposed amendment requiring prompt transmission of election results was designed to prevent undue interference in the electoral process. According to him, delays in transmitting results open the door to manipulation, which he described metaphorically as allowing “the devil” to influence decision-making after elections have been conducted. Adebayo argued that the office of the Senate President demands seriousness and respect for democratic principles, noting that previous holders of the position, including Nnamdi Azikiwe, Joseph Wayas, and Chuba Okadigbo, upheld the integrity of the office. He warned against what he termed “legislative rascality,” stressing that the matter was not partisan but fundamental to the survival of democracy in Nigeria. The former SDP flagbearer also emphasised the constitutional powers of the National Assembly, saying the Senate is an equal arm of government with significant responsibilities, including approving decisions as serious as whether the president can go to war. He added that anyone occupying the position of Senate President must rise above personal or external interests, likening the office in stature and responsibility to that of the Chief Justice of Nigeria. Adebayo said: “What the provision in the proposed new Electoral Act is saying is that you send the election results with your God’s heart before the devil starts talking to you. That’s what it’s saying. “The devil has started talking to Akpabio now; that’s why we want to stop him from the beginning. “Look, this position of Senate President, he is not the first to be there. Nnamdi Azikiwe was there. Joseph Wayas was there, including Chuba Okadigbo, up to his own time. Why does he want to end democracy with legislative rascality? This is something important; it’s not a political issue. “You cannot be in that office and be an errand boy for foreign or outside interests. There is equality of the branches of government, and the Senate has the power to do everything on behalf of the people, including the power to approve whether the President goes to war or not. You need to be serious. If you are not a serious person by nature, immediately you sit on that seat, you must be serious. It is the same position as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.”
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