Group seeks law to strip defectors of their seats

Anon- governmental organisation, United Global Resolve For Peace (UGRFP), wants the National Assembly to initiate a bill to strip defectors of their seats.

Executive Director of the group, Shalom Olaseni, made the call in a statement yesterday.

He said the gale of defections is a disgrace to the country’s democracy, because politicians put personal ambition above national interest.

The group urged the Supreme Court to interpret sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution, as it relates to oversight functions by lawmakers in checkmating executive excesses, through the use of security agencies.

The group cautioned against the attitude of law enforcement agencies that operate without being checked by the oversight functions of the legislature.

Olaseni said: “In the attempt to save democracy and the country from anarchy, the National Assembly must reintroduce and pass the bill to strip defectors of their seats.”

He added that the bill would stem the thoughtless and un-principled carpet crossing with the attendant negative intrigues.

The director commended the Acting Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) for promising to review unlawful detentions and human rights violations in the country.

He urged the police to emulate the DSS’S gesture and be guided strictly by legal parameters in the exercise of their powers.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Dioceses, Hassan Matthew Kuka, has described politicians who defect as belonging to the same corruption cycle.

He made the statement yesterday during a mass wedding at the Catholic Church, Birnin Kebbi.

He said: “Buhari is a leader chosen by God to lead us of which we have no option, than to follow him. The defectors are the major problems of this country, and they are the same corrupt people swimming in corrupt water.”

He counseled that the only option open to the people is to pray, rather than complaining.

Kuka cautioned the people against following the corrupt politicians who don’t have the interest of the masses at heart.

In a related development, outgoing Archbishop, Province of Niger Delta and Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey, has cautioned against vote buying in 2019 elections.

He spoke in Port Harcourt yesterday at the activities to mark his exit from active service.