Why INEC should adjust presidential, NASS primary schedules – Reps

The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adjust its timetable for the
conduct of Presidential and National Assembly Primary Elections
scheduled to begin on August 18, 2018.

The motion was moved by Hon. Abdullahi Balarabe Salame and seconded by
Hon. Suleiman Aminu.

Salame expressed concern that the primaries will be two days before
Arafat which will begin in the evening of Monday, 20th August 2018 and
end in the evening of Tuesday, 21 August 2018 subject to a little
variation of dates.

He said that observance of Arafat day is one of the major cardinals of
hajj pilgrimage, the non-performance of which will make the pilgrimage
an incomplete exercise.

The lawmaker expressed concern that the INEC schedule will create a
lot of inconvenience for Nigerian Muslim pilgrims participating in the
primaries.

When committed to voting, the House presided by Speaker Yakubu Dogara,
adopted the motion.

The chamber agreed that the adjustment of the Presidential and
National Assembly primaries to enable Nigerian Muslim politicians
attend the hajj pilgrimage and later participate in the primaries.

However, Hon. Aisha Dukku in a proposed amendment, urged the President
to expedite action of Assent on the Electoral Amendment Bill before
him.

The motion was voted on and passed as amended.