Cost Of Non-returning Lawmakers Heavy On Democracy – Lawan

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said the cost of non-returning lawmakers is heavy on the country and democracy.

He lamented that by June 2023, many lawmakers would not return to the National Assembly.

Lawan spoke during plenary on Wednesday where he urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a free and fair election in 2023.

Lawan said: “The Senate will start its recess from today (Wednesday) and this is to enable Senators participate fully in the campaigns for their return or for their political parties.

“The elections of the National Assembly (members) together with that of the President, will take place on the 25th of February, 2023 that we all know.

“It is our prayer and hope is that, for those of us who are going to participate in the National Assembly elections in the Senate, God Almighty would be on our side. “This is because we need to have those who would provide institutional memory to be around. “The casualties have always been too heavy and too expensive for our country and for democracy in Nigeria.

“That is not to say that Nigerians should not have the way they want to elect their members of the National Assembly. “But it pays to retain parliamentarians if they are doing their job well.
“Because it helps the institution or the parliament in building and working for the people and for the country.

“We also pray that INEC conducts very free, fair and credible elections. This Senate and indeed the National Assembly has supported INEC to the teeth.

“Almost everything that was requested for INEC was approved here in the National Assembly. We expect that INEC will be on top of its game.

“When we come back on February 28, three days after the presidential and National Assembly elections, our hope is that we come back here and review the situation that would have taken place.
“But we pray that what our review should all be on the positive side.

“And for one legislative week, we will be in the chamber to March 1, before we will also go for the gubernatorial and state houses of assembly campaigns and elections of March 11.”