THE House of Representatives Thursday explained why its members are amending the Electoral Act in such a way that they will become automatic members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of parties.
Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, who spoke on the controversial amendment at a press conference in Abuja, said the planned amendment became imperative to "enlarge and expand" the NEC of political parties to ensure much desired internal democracy.
The Bill, sponsored by C.I.D. Maduabum and Igo Aguma, is entitled: "An Act to amend the Electoral Act, 2010 and for related matters." It seeks to make Federal legislators members of the NEC of political parties.
Eyiboh said contrary to the insinuation that the proposed amendment is self-serving and intended to perpetuate members, it would give democracy its true meaning and mass participation.
He said: "We felt that the political parties should build up internal democracy where no one man will dominate the party machinery. The amendment is intended to enlarge and expand the highest decision making organ of political parties so that nobody will have overall control of the machinery of political parties.
"It is intended to ensure a broad based participatory decision making NEC. It is not for lawmakers to perpetuate themselves. The intendment of the amendment is far from such speculations by those who want to fly a kite."
"As members of NEC, we will still present ourselves for election either at party convention or party primary election."
Eyiboh also said the amendment has nothing to do with the Right of First Refusal.
According to him, there is no plan whatsoever to introduce something that is devilish or something that will undermine the people of Nigeria in the Electoral Act.
"We have never introduced any thing to undermine Nigerians before, we cannot afford to do that now because we have a covenant with the Nigerian people for fair representation."
Meanwhile, former Vice President and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar yesterday warned the National Assembly (NASS) not to "entrench dictatorship in disguise" in their bid to become automatic members of the National Executive Committees (NECs) of their parties.
Atiku, in a new entry on his Facebook page entitled: "The challenge of internal democracy in political parties", said even though the proposal would help deepen internal democracy in parties, it would become counter productive if the lawmakers are seeking "personal advantage."
Atiku said: "However, considering the rejection of the amendment to the Electoral Act 2010, which would have made ministers, special assistants, ambassadors and other aides to the President automatic delegates for party primaries, the National Assembly should exercise caution in the current amendments seeking to make federal legislators automatic members of their parties’ NECs.
"One of the fears being expressed is that with 360 House of Representatives and 109 Senators added to other statutory members of NEC, it may be too unwieldy to have each of them as members of their parties’ highest decision making bodies.
"In particular, the lawmakers should allay public fears that they are not seeking personal advantage through the latest move to amend the Electoral Act.
"If the President could be denied of a presumed desire to seek personal advantage through legislation, our federal legislators should avoid the temptation of falling into the same trap.
"Any public perception that the proposed amendment is designed to give them personal advantage over others may undermine the credibility of the current efforts.
"Excessive powers and advantages in the hands of either the executive or legislative branch of government may lead to tyranny, which may in itself stifle the growth of democracy.
"Therefore, while welcoming the current effort to amend the Electoral Act, seeking to make federal legislators automatic members of their parties’ NECs, I urge the lawmakers to examine the pros and cons of this amendment in order to sustain public confidence in the legislative process.
"The politics of exclusion and the hijacking of parties by a clique may have compelled the intervention by the federal lawmakers."