Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege
The call for restructuring of the country has gained more support and this time, from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, said this on the sideline of the Electoral Reform Conference in Abuja.
He stressed that the ruling party was not opposed to restructuring the country while the matter was being taken more seriously.
“This government, the APC led government is not against restructuring,” Senator Omo-Agege said.
He added, “A couple of days ago, I believe I read the release from the Villa; that release represents the view of the APC.”
The lawmaker insisted that his party was not opposed to restructuring, stressing that the Committee on Constitution Amendment would be considering the report of the committee led by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State.
He noted that the amendment to the Electoral Act was the major task before the National Assembly and the lawmakers would expedite action on it and base its recommendations majorly on the submissions of the El-Rufai led committee set up by the APC.
“The APC supports restructuring and indeed, the restructuring committee that was put in place headed by Governor El-Rufai came up with some very significant recommendations.
“Those recommendations represent the views of the party. We are going to be taking that into account as we proceed with the exercise,” Senator Omo-Agege stated.
Earlier, he informed the conference that the bill seeking to amend the Electoral Act, which he co-sponsored, might be passed by February 2020.
The event put together by the Civil Society Elections Situation Room was attended by top officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), representative of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and members of the civil society.
The office of the AGF made a commitment that it would work with INEC while the electoral umpire promised to work with the National Assembly to ensure the early passage of the bill.
