By Abdulwahab Abdulah
FOUNDER and President of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has faulted the National Assembly over the proposed Bill that will allow the lawmakers to contest for second term in office automatically, describing the development as against the spirit and tenet of the Nigeria constitution.

This came as he called for the prosecution of any electoral officer found culpable in any failed or rigged elections in the country.

Congratulating the newly sworn-in Governor of Ekiti State,Dr Kayode Fayemi, over his victory at the Court of Appeal, Fasehun said, the time was now for such officer to face the full wrath of the law in whatever bad role  played in electoral manipulations.

While condemning the  proposal currently before the National Assembly, seeking to further amend the Constitution and the Electoral Act to give the “Right of First Refusal” to serving Federal legislators, Fasehun said, “Such a clause in the Electoral Act is tyrannical, self-serving and perfidious.

It is a resurrection of the Third-Term Agenda that Nigerians killed unanimously in 2007. Coming on the heels of the jumbo pay legislators allotted to themselves, this provision will only show the Nigerian lawmakers as undemocratic elements bent on perpetuating themselves in office.”

He hailed the Court of Appeal ruling, which declared Fayemi duly elected Governor of Ekiti State.

He said, “Dr. Fayemi’s victory meets the expectations of progressive elements in Nigeria who happen to be in the majority. It signifies hope for Nigeria’s democracy. The Judiciary has once more demonstrated unequalled courage. “The judges have proved that they can deliver justice as the last hope of the common man.”

He admonished all parties in the state to work together to keep Ekiti State a land of peace and prosperity.

Lamenting that out of 36 gubernatorial elections conducted in 2007 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Judiciary decided the victories of 33 states’ chief executives, Fasehun demanded that all electoral officers found culpable in subjugating the electoral process should be punished.

He canvassed that in line with the Mohammed Uwais Committee Report, the country must ensure that electoral petitions were heard, concluded and decided before the swearing in of a new regime.