The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a hitch-free 2015 election.
He gave this charge yesterday in Ado-Ekiti during the commissioning of the new Ekiti Governor’s Lodge (Ayoba Villa) and presentation of books detailing activities of the outgoing administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Tambuwal, who said the 2015 elections will decide the fate of the unity of the country, expressed confidence in the electoral body to conduct a poll that will be acceptable to all Nigerians.
Warning INEC against subverting the wills of Nigerians in the elections, Tambuwal said, “My expectations from INEC is that there should be election in Nigeria and it must be credible, impartial and transparent. It must display patriotism by not favouring any of the parties and respecting the will of the people for democracy to grow and for us to remain united”.
The speaker, who refused to touch on the reason the House of Representatives, particularly lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had frustrated an attempt to discuss the botched $15 million arms deal in South Africa, said he abides by the position of his colleagues not to debate the matter.
“I have to take responsibility for whatever negative or positive meanings the people had read to our actions because that was the position of the House and I am bound by it”, he said.
Tambuwal, who urged the security agencies to probe the invasion of the Ado Ekiti High Court by thugs and bring the culprits to book, also said, “The attack is very unfortunate because judiciary is not only an arm of government but the last hope of the common man, which must be respected by all”.
He also commended Fayemi for his outstanding performance and pointed out that posterity shall judge him well as someone who brought integrity into governance in Ekiti.
