2019: Saraki Deliberately Refusing To Reconvene NASS ‘To Weaken INEC’ – APC

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki of deliberately refusing to reconvene the National Assembly to weaken the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the General Elections in 2019.

The party, in a statement signed by Acting National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was hiding “under the yet-to-be assented Electoral Act Amendment bill” as an attempt to draw attention away from the reconvening of the assembly.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) attempt to hide under the yet-to-be assented Electoral Act Amendment bill is an attempt to draw attention away from the treasonable actions of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki who has refused to convene the National Assembly to consider at plenary the crucial 2019 Election Budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The Electoral Amendment Bill passed by the National Assembly is alive and awaiting assent. However, assent to Bills in all democratic governments reflects the prudence and discretion of the president in balancing the powers of key constitutional bodies and understanding the concerns of the executive.

“While we strongly condemn the abuse of office by the Senate President backed by his PDP cohorts in sabotaging the executive, specifically INEC, all well-meaning Nigerians have a duty to speak up and ensure that the National Assembly performs its constitutional role and not serve an individual’s personal interest and sinister ends of the opposition PDP,” the party said.

The statement called on “Nigerians, civil society and indeed the international community to resist the ongoing travesty and legislative rascality being perpetuated by the Senate President and the PDP.

“The sanctity of our electoral system is being threatened by this orchestrated sabotage and deliberate attempt to weaken INEC as we prepare for General Elections in 2019.

“The National Assembly must be convened immediately.”

The party further expressed confidence that it will win the 2019 elections “judging by visible and landmark achievements recorded by the President Buhari administration.

“This is an apparent fact that gives the PDP sleepless nights, hence its daily lies and propaganda in its desperate, failed and early campaign to attract non- existent votes.”