Federal Lawmakers Are Not Self-seeking – Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan says a free, fair and credible election in 2023 is achievable.

Ekohotblog reports that Lawan said this on Wednesday at the commencement of a public hearing on the electoral act amendment at the national assembly.

Lawan said members of the national assembly are not self-serving or callous, noting that the federal lawmakers are the most accessible of all elected public office holders.

He added that members of the national assembly are very mindful the things they do.

“A free fair and credible election in 2023 is doable, we just have to remain focused. When we get something right, please commend and encourage us. Don’t wait until we make mistakes and then you say ‘these people are self-serving’,” the number three citizen said.

“From my experience both in the house and in the senate, the national assembly has never been self-serving. The national assembly is probably one institution where members are extremely conscious of what they do because of their electorate.

“We are always open, exposed and easily the most-reachable set of elected people.”

Also Read: We’ll Pass Electoral Act Amendment Bill In 2021 – Lawan

Lawan said the legislators are committed to all matters that are deemed important to their ‘legislative agenda’.

He implored the people not to disrupt them by holding them responsible, but they should instead pray and advise them.

“People may choose to accuse us for any other thing but not on what we do here. We remain committed to all the issues we have considered important in our legislative agenda and without anybody holding us responsible, we have achieved most of those things we have set as targets and the electoral act amendment is one of those targets we will work to pass,” he said.

“We don’t need you to hold us because if you hold us, you will disrupt us. Pray for us, continue to advise us, engage with us, partner with us and we will achieve those things.

“I have participated in several elections since 1999 and none of them has been the same. I have had different experiences. It means we always have some new emerging problems and what is required of us is to address those problems and make sure every vote must count.”