By Boluwaji Obahopo

LOKOJA—A member of the House of Representatives, Abdullahi Bello, has said the performance of the National Assembly was being hampered by the numerous tribunal cases involving its members across the country.

Bello, who represents Okene/Ogori Magogo federal constituency of Kogi State, made this know yesterday in Lokoja while reacting to the judgement of Kogi State National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal which ruled in his favour.

He said politicians must embrace the spirit of sportsmanship in any of their contest in order to move Nigerian democracy forward.

Bello said: “The last election was adduced to be the best and most credible election conducted in Nigeria, especially through the introduction of card readers, unfortunately; politicians still went ahead to challenge the outcome of the election in court.

“Close to 70 percent of National Assembly members have their election dragged before the Tribunal. The emotional, physical and monetary energy committed to the election litigations have taken a toll on the performance and activities of the members in the National assemblies.

“One has to be moving from one place to another, taking time that should be dedicated to legislative duties to focus on lawyers and court sittings. This is not good enough for the country’s democracy.

“I hope and pray that a day will come when politicians will embrace the ideology of former President Goodluck Jonathan who call his opponent to concede defeat even when the final results was yet to be officially announced.

“Politicians and political players must see elections not as a do or die affair but as a sporting event where there can only be one winner.”

Bello, who was former speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, however, described his victory at the Tribunal as a re-affirmation of the voice of his people who overwhelmingly voted for him at the poll.