N’Meeting to ship acceptable electoral reform invoice quickly — Reps spokesman

The Spokesman for the Home of Representatives, Mr Akintunde Rotimi, has reiterated the Nationwide Meeting’s dedication to delivering an appropriate Electoral Reform Invoice able to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic system.

Rotimi, who represents Ekiti North Federal Constituency 1, stated the Nationwide Meeting was presently harmonising inputs from numerous stakeholders to make sure the passage of a complete and efficient electoral reform doc.

The lawmaker spoke on Saturday in Ikole Native Authorities Space of Ekiti State whereas inaugurating three constituency initiatives comprising two roads at Isaba and Oke-Ayedun, and a workers quarters at Odo-Oro Excessive School, Odo-Oro Ekiti.

“These initiatives have been executed based mostly on the expressed wants of my constituents. Members of the Home of Representatives are deliberate about constituency initiatives by giving constituents the chance to articulate their priorities,” he stated.

There have been issues in some quarters over the delay in passing the Electoral Reform Invoice, regardless of its earlier passage by the Home of Representatives.

Nevertheless, Rotimi stated electoral reforms remained a prime precedence for the Nationwide Meeting, simply as they have been for Nigerians, assuring that the invoice can be concluded quickly.

In keeping with him, the proposed reforms are designed to ensure free and honest elections, restore public confidence within the electoral course of, and be sure that votes rely.

“The Electoral Reform Invoice earlier than the Nationwide Meeting is focused at bettering the transparency, credibility and effectivity of our democratic system, whereas additionally addressing the shortcomings uncovered in the course of the 2023 normal elections.

“The reforms are all-encompassing and are merchandise of in depth suggestions from stakeholders. The Joint Home and Senate Committees on Electoral Reforms have met severally. We now have held retreats and consultations with neighborhood leaders, civil society organisations and different curiosity teams.

“The Home of Representatives handed the invoice earlier than continuing on recess in December, and the Senate has since commenced work on it. At this stage, we’re harmonising a number of areas, and the method shall be concluded very quickly,” he stated.

Rotimi confused that credible elections have been foundational to democracy.

“Nigerians should be capable of vote freely, and their votes should rely. That is among the core pillars of democratic governance — making certain that residents can select their representatives throughout all ranges,” he added.

Highlighting his legislative file, the lawmaker stated he had sponsored over 40 payments, a lot of which he described as progressive and landmark interventions.

“By the grace of God, I’ve sponsored over 40 payments, together with the invoice to forestall and redress sexual harassment in instructional establishments, the invoice on impartial candidacy, and the whistle-blowers safety invoice,” he stated.

Rotimi additionally urged Nigerians to proceed to assist the administration of President Bola Tinubu, noting that sustained public backing would allow the federal government to ship on its coverage guarantees.

In the meantime, PidomNigeria On-line had reported that the African Democratic Congress Publicity Secretary, Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, lately known as on the Nationwide Meeting to urgently cross the Electoral Invoice 2025, warning that delays might undermine important reforms forward of the 2027 normal elections.

Abdullahi accused the All Progressives Congress-led Senate of slowing down the method, warning that extended delays might weaken efforts to curb electoral malpractice.

“The ADC calls on the Nationwide Meeting to promptly cross the invoice. Any additional delay poses a severe danger to the credibility of the 2027 normal elections and the integrity of the whole electoral course of,” he stated.