By Ishaya Ibrahim
Acting News Editor
An election monitor group, Voters Awareness Initiative (VAI), has said that the move by members of the National Assembly (NASS) to amend the sequence of elections ahead of the 2019 vote is irresponsible.
President of of the group, Barrister Wale Ogunade argued that the action of the lawmakers was unnecessary.
”The proposed NASS timetable, in all intents and purposes, stands logic on it’s head. The essence, we dare say, is to promote NASS members’ ultimate selfish end, which is to secure their return to the National Assembly at all cost, regardless of the mindset of other Nigerians,” Ogunade said.
He said election should be to a politician what examination is to a student.
“It is the duty of the examiner to set timetable and other paraphernalia of the examination. The only duty of the student is to prepare adequately for the examination. Woe betides any student who attempts to determine the examination paper he/she intends to write during the examination,” he said.
He said the attempt by members of the National Assembly to alter the election timetable is akin to foisting themselves on Nigerians.
“They are aware that securing return tickets may not be possible with the present set up owing largely to the fact that the general consensus was such that they have performed below average in the area of adequate representation to their constituents.
“And having this fact at the back of their minds, they came to the conclusion that when denied party tickets by their parties, they can easily resort to any of the fringe parties for tickets and eventual victory, and thereby return to power to continue to intimidate and make life more difficult for the rest of us,” he said.