Saraki, Dogara yet to declare Wakili, Bukar, Jibril’s seats vacant months after the lawmakers Death
No by- election without declaration – INEC
Lawyers back INEC
Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara are yet to declare as vacant, the seats of two senators and one Rep who died months ago, Daily Trust on Sunday reports.
The development, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said was delaying the conduct of by-elections into the constituencies represented by the deceased lawmakers.
The deceased lawmakers are Senator Malam Ali Wakili (APC, Bauchi), Rep Buba Jibril (APC, Kogi) and Senator Mustapha Bukar (APC, Katsina), the trio died on March 17, March 30 and April 4, this year, respectively.
The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the commission has not been formally communicated to, 64 days after Wakili’s death, Buba 51 days and Mustapha, 46 days. This is despite the fact that valedictory sessions had been held in honour of the deceased lawmakers.
The valedictory session in honour of late Wakili was held on March 21 and that of Buba and Bukar took place on same day (April 12) at the House and Senate chambers, respectively. During the sessions, the national flags and wreaths were placed on their seats.
While the responsibility to declare Wakili and Bukar’s seats falls on Saraki’s shoulders, that of Jibril rests with Dogara.
Daily Trust on Sunday reports that when Senator Isiaka Adeleke of Osun West Senatorial district died in April 23, 2017, the by-election was conducted on July 8 and his younger brother, Ademola, who won the poll was sworn in on July 12.
In this Senate, Isiaka Adeleke was the first lawmaker to die as Senator Ahmed Zannah of Borno-Central died before the inauguration of this assembly.
Our correspondents gathered that the delay in communicating the demise of the lawmakers to INEC may be due to interest of the presiding officers on who will replace them from their various states.
“You see, it could be that presiding officers are not favourably disposed to the people pencilled down by some of the governors in the states to replace the lawmakers.
“For example, everyone knows that Dogara and his state governor are not in good terms. And you know Dogara and Saraki are always on the same page. So, that may be responsible for the delay in the case of the late Senator Wakili.
“Again, if you observe very well, the governor of Kogi State, where Hon Buba, came from is at loggerheads with some, if not all, the presiding officers here in the National Assembly. Of course the governor would want to get his candidate to replace Buba.
“But the presiding officers may also delay that. I’m not saying that’s the case directly, but it’s a possibility,” the source who is familiar with the workings of the two chambers said.
Daily Trust on Sunday reports that aside their seats, the positions held by the lawmakers are still vacant. While Wakili and Bukar chaired poverty alleviation and capital market committees, respectively, Jibril, was one of the principal officers of the House. He was deputy leader.
When contacted, the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu said, “ I don’t have response for that.”
A National Assembly management source said the two presiding officers are yet to give instructions to the Clerk.
“When Senator Isiaka Adeleke died INEC conducted the by-election without a notice from us. It is because of this that the presiding officers have not communicated to the clerk. Secondly, as you know, without a directive from the presiding officers, the clerk cannot act, “he said on condition of anonymity.
When contacted, House spokesman, Abdulrazak Namdas (APC, Adamawa) said he would find out..
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