By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
The Chairman of Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Senator Albert Bassey Akpan has described President Buhari as a true democrat for yielding to the desires of Nigerians by assenting to the amended electoral act, despite pressure from some quarters.
Senator Akpan who made the remarks, at the weekend, while fielding in questions from journalists
In Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, expressed hope that the electoral act as amended would deepen internal democracy among political parties in the country.
Akpan, who is the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State also said that the Amended Act would address vexing issues in the former Act and guarantee increased participation in future elections.
“The President is a true democrat. We have used the old electoral act for two elections. The recent review was necessary because of the need to address critical issues from the past elections. Some of these issues were not provided for by the law. Hence the President has signed the new act that will go a long way in enhancing the transparency of the election process.
“Political parties now have a clear mandate of choosing between direct, indirect and consensus approach in the nomination of candidates who will represent them at the polls”, Senator Akpan posited.
Reflecting on voter apathy, which he noted has marred previous elections in the Country, the Lawmaker posited that a free and credible nomination process is critical towards mitigating the effect of voter apathy in future elections.
“Voter apathy usually emanates from the process that produces candidates in different political parties. The new electoral act will enhance transparency in our electoral processes. The burden is now on political parties to do their best in advancing internal democracy. I believe that the coming elections will witness increased voter turnout because of the reforms we will see because of the new law”, he added.
On consensus candidacy as enshrined in the new law, Senator Akpan said the law would make the process more participatory and transparent. He said all candidates seeking an elective office must append their signatures to adopt any consensus position before ratification by delegates.
Akpan, who is the Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District of Akwa Ibom State also said that the Amended Act would address vexing issues in the former Act and guarantee increased participation in future elections.
“The President is a true democrat. We have used the old electoral act for two elections. The recent review was necessary because of the need to address critical issues from the past elections. Some of these issues were not provided for by the law. Hence the President has signed the new act that will go a long way in enhancing the transparency of the election process.
“Political parties now have a clear mandate of choosing between direct, indirect and consensus approach in the nomination of candidates who will represent them at the polls”, Senator Akpan posited.
Reflecting on voter apathy, which he noted has marred previous elections in the Country, the Lawmaker posited that a free and credible nomination process is critical towards mitigating the effect of voter apathy in future elections.
“Voter apathy usually emanates from the process that produces candidates in different political parties. The new electoral act will enhance transparency in our electoral processes. The burden is now on political parties to do their best in advancing internal democracy. I believe that the coming elections will witness increased voter turnout because of the reforms we will see because of the new law”, he added.
On consensus candidacy as enshrined in the new law, Senator Akpan said the law would make the process more participatory and transparent. He said all candidates seeking an elective office must append their signatures to adopt any consensus position before ratification by delegates.
He noted that where a political party cannot secure written consent of all cleared aspirants for the emergence of a consensus candidate, the law mandates the party to revert to the choice of direct or indirect primaries for the nomination of a candidate for the desired office.
