By Victoria Ojeme

ABUJA — Ahead of the 2015 general elections, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has assured  foreigners, especially members of the diplomatic community living in Nigeria not to exercise any fear over the elections, saying there is no cause for  alarm.

He spoke yesterday during the presentation of a draft of the Supplementary Act on the Enhancement of the Power of ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.

He said, “Elections in Nigeria will be free and fair there is no cause for alarm. We call on our diplomatic friends to be calm, we also hope that by June activities of the elections will come to normal”.

Commenting on the draft, he said, if signed into law, ECOWAS Parliament would be able to carry out legislative functions like its counterparts in the European Union.

At the moment, the parliament only plays an advisory role.

Some of the provisions of the draft if signed include, “The parliament shall jointly with Council approve the Community Budget. The parliament shall also exercise parliamentary oversight functions over the activities of the institutions and organs of the Community, as laid down in this Supplementary Act, without prejudice. The parliament shall confirm the appointment  of  Statutory officers of the Community with the exception of Statutory officers appointed directly by the Authority. The parliament may, in  collaboration with the  council and the Commission propose model and uniform laws to Member States.

“Referral to the Parliament shall be Mandatory in the following areas; Measures relating to free movement, right of stay, residence and establishment of Community citizens.

Community Measures on prevention of war against corruption, financial delinquency and cross border crimes.”