By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Senate President Ahmad Lawan says activists should stop blackmail, which is not lawful, and instead exercise their right and lobby lawmakers on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill now before both chambers of the National Assembly (NASS).
Lawan bared his mind on Wednesday after a report on the bill was tabled at plenary, blaming mischief makers for peddling false accusations that the NASS leadership has manipulated the bill.
The report on the bill was presented by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Committee Chairman Kabiru Gaya.
Lawan advised Nigerians to lobby lawmakers on any portion of the bill they feel strongly about, insisting that the NASS would do only what is right when it considers the bill.
He disclosed that blackmailers published his and House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila’s telephone numbers online through which his (Lawan’s) privacy was invaded with over 900 text messages accusing him of manipulating the bill.
His words: “There are various accusations, insinuations that the leadership of the Senate, sometimes the leadership of the National Assembly, have tampered with the report of the Committee on INEC of both chambers.
“Some of those accusing the leadership of the National Assembly are innocently misinformed, some are simply mischievous and rabble rousers.
“This is the first time this report is laid here. This is the decision of the Committee on INEC and, therefore, whatever will be discussed or considered about the Electoral Act Amendment Bill will be on the basis of what has been presented to the Senate.
“If anybody feels very strongly about anything, lobby distinguished senators to canvass for your position, rather than blackmail our leadership, because my telephone line and that of [Gbajabiamila] were published.
“In one day, I received over 900 messages saying we have manipulated this. We didn’t. We will do what is right, we have our procedures and lobbying is part of democracy.”