RAYMOND OZOJI reports
Just recently rumours went viral on social media platforms that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disenfranchised and disqualified serving Reps members from contesting in by-elections due to vacuums it created and cost implications for conduct of other by-elections to fill more vacancies. This however was a suggestive statement by the INEC chairman Prof. Mamood during an interactive session with the Interparty Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) in Abuja.
Although the INEC chairman did not quote or cited any existing laws preventing incumbent national assembly members from participating in by-elections, there were make-believe jubilations in Anambra State where the apex electoral umpire plans to hold a by-election to get another replacement for the late Sen. Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah.
Aspirants and cronies had rejoiced that INEC has disqualified the Reps member representing Ihiala Federal Constituency at the Green Chambers Rt. Hon. Dr. Paschal Arinzechukwu Agbodike from contesting in the upcoming Anambra-South senatorial by-election.
But contrary to such baseless and uninformed insinuations, the House of Representatives Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters headed by Hon. Adebayo Balogun set the records straight stating categorically that there is no law preventing serving national assembly members from taking part in by-elections.
The committee in its submissions maintained that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended did not make such provisions neither did the Electoral Act make such by-laws instead the grand rule of the land provided a level playing field for every aspirant to test his or her electoral value and popularity amongst the people especially in a democracy.
The committee also made it categorically clear that a serving Reps member is most qualified to replace a Senator on grounds of job experience and knowledge of national assembly proceedings.
This assertion by the House of Representatives Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters underscores the fact that Paschal Agbodike is the best and most suitable to replace Ifeanyi Ubah in the Senate because he is the only serving national assembly member amongst the legion of contestants for the South senatorial zone by-election.
By the declarations of the House of Representatives Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters headed by Hon. Adebayo Balogun, Rt. Hon. Dr. Paschal Arinzechukwu Agbodike is still a full-time contestant in the forthcoming Anambra-South senatorial district by-election.
Little wonder why his presence in the race has continued to send cold shivers down the spines of other aspirants within and outside the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) where Agbodike and others are seeking to obtain ticket for the South senatorial zone electoral contest.
Apart from being a member of the House of Representatives as well as a member of the ECOWAS parliament, Paschal Agbodike has three Certificates of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). as two-time member of the Anambra State House of Assembly and currently as a serving member of the Green Chambers of the national assembly.
Although too many dramatis personae are currently running from pillar to post claiming to be acquainted with the rudiments of legislative proceedings and all what not but judging from the standpoint of the House of Representatives Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters, the inevitable truth remains that a serving Reps member is most qualified to replace a Senator and Paschal Agbodike is the only veritable alternative !
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