Tribunal Judgment: National Assembly Needs To Take Their Job Seriously, Says Ita Enang

…The Laws They Make Either Build or Mar Electoral Process

Subair Mohammed

Senior Special Assistant to Nigeria’s president on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang has said that the National Assembly needs to add value to itself, adding that, the quality of and the substance in the law they make will either make or mar the country’s electoral process.

While describing the presidential election tribunal judgment as lucid, erudite and comprehensive, Senator Enang who was former presidential aide on National Assembly matters said on The Morning Show on Arise TV Cable station that the tribunal has delivered the most detailed judgment ever in the history of election petition judgment in Nigeria.

He said, “The judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal is a landmark in the history of election judgement in Nigeria. It is highly commendable. However, The National Assembly has to listen to the entire judgment and take account of every issue the court raised.

The National Assembly needs to give value to itself because it is what they do that will mar or build the electoral process of this country as the Justices of the Supreme Court rely on the laws made by the National Assembly for their judgment.

The law is what the National Assembly makes therefore they need to take their job seriously. They have to agree and personally involved on their legislation on electoral matters.”

While congratulating Nigerians and Mr President on the well-deserved victory, Senator Enang advised the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to seek redress on the ruling at the Supreme Court as he said, the outcome will aid and strengthen the electoral system that will be put in place in subsequent elections.

H said, “It is time for all Nigerians and the opposition PDP to join hands with Mr President for the growth of the country. However, I want to encourage the PDP to seek redress on the judgment at the Supreme Court.

So that whatever judgment the Supreme Court comes up with will be a final guide to the executive and legislature on how to fashion out an electoral system for the country for subsequent elections. If allowed, the electoral laws that would be put in place will be the best ever.

“If Nigerians want electronic voting, electronic transmission of results and existence of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s server with all the issues raised in the e-voting process addressed, all these can be done if the bill is passed two years or three before the election cycle” he said.

Commenting further on the role played by the media in the judgment, he said, “I commend the Nigerian media for the coverage of the delivery as they were being delivered by the court.

“The analysis on the social media and other platform has been informed and educating and well-balanced. They reported the reasons of the judges on each of the issues on the ruling on the side of the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the arguments that were raised on the side of APC’s candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, they balanced their ruling on preliminary issues before coming to the main issues. In all, Nigeria and Nigerians are the winners.”