March 26, 2018

The Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly,  Alhaji Abdullahi Ata, says the house is in  support of  President Muhammad Buhari on  his refusal to assent to  the bill on  amendment of  the Electoral Act.

Ata spoke  on Monday while answering questions during a live phone-in programme on a local radio station in Kano, Express Radio.

The News Agency of  Nigeria (NAN) reports that one of the major amendments  by the National Assembly  changed  the sequence of elections, with the National Assembly poll coming first and the  presidential  last,  contrary to INEC’s proposal.

Ata, however, said there was  no need for the change now,  adding that those seeking  the amendment of the Electoral Act,  especially the change in election sequence, were  doing it in the pursuit of  personal interests.

The Speaker added that even if the election time table was changed with the presidential election coming last, the president would still win.

“Therefore, we are not in support of the change in  the sequence because it can only cause unnecessary spending by the electoral body, despite the economic issues in the country.

“With the efforts of the president, we are gradually getting out of the economic challenges.

“Therefore we should exercise more patience  and continue to support the state and the Federal Government toward  moving the country forward,’’ he said.

Ata also  said the assembly was not dancing to the tune of the executive, maintaining that it was committed to the discharge of its  responsibilities.

He said  maturity on  both sides and  mutual understanding had been responsible for the prevailing peace in the polity.

“We always make sure that we discharge our duties as legislators  effectively and accordingly.

“ We always make sure that we initiate and pass bills  on issues that concern the electorate   and also reject bills presented before us by the executive whenever we think there is the need for that  and the executive agrees  with our decision in the interest of the general public,’’ Ata said.

Ata, however, pledged to continue to render the necessary support to the executive in order to provide the electorate with the  dividends  of democracy through execution of  meaningful projects in the state.