Sen. Abba Moro revisits Independent Candidacy Option Bill

Razaq Bamidele
Sen. Patrick Abba Moro representing Benue South Senatorial District in the Upper National Legislative Chambers has revisited the Independent Candidacy Bill which he sponsored in the 9th assembly and was eventually signed into Bill by the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Moro took another critical look at the Bill and reassured himself that, if his effort is put into practice in Nigeria, the country’s democracy would be deepened further just as he expressed excitement to realise that he was the author of the very important piece of legislation that has created an optional alternative for seekers of elective offices that do not want to subject themselves to the manipulative tendencies of administrators of political parties.

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His remarks: “The bill (now law) is a well-thought-out bill. It was intended quite frankly to guarantee an objective platform on which individuals could contest elections without subjecting themselves to the tyranny of political parties. Because the constitutional provision has always been that a candidate must be sponsored by a political party.

“And of course, given the manipulative tendencies inherent in the management of our political parties, it became obvious that very many persons who ordinarily would have won elections were skewed out of elections at the level of the primary election. And so I think this independent candidacy Bill is a very, very vital alternative to the tyranny of the political parties. I like it and I recommend it to all Nigerians.

“I know people might say it’s cumbersome. But it’s better than the tyranny of political parties. The casualties that we have in the Senate today, for instance in the National Assembly, the high turnover of the legislators is as a result of the manipulation of the political process by the political parties and managers of political parties. And so, if the people have alternatives to ventilate their political ambitions, then, definitely, it’s a better deal. And we will continue to do the necessary sensitization of Nigerians to see the value and efficacy of the independent candidacy that has become part of our electoral process now.”

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On how he feels as the author of the Bill that has found itself as part of provision in the country’s amended constitution, the elated Moro said:

“I feel very great, feel very excited. And honestly the excitement of Nigerians and the speed with which Nigerians have embraced it has surprised me, has gone beyond my imagination and I am very happy that I am the sponsor of that bill. I would sponsor more landmark legacy bills once we resume properly in this 10th Senate.

“And I can assure you these things will come handy for Nigerians. For instance, you will recall that I presented the rotation of power bill which was turned down by my colleagues because it was a private member’s bill instead of being a constitutional bill. And so I am going to start all over very soon as soon as we resume full legislative activities.

“The local government autonomy bill which was scuttled by the state houses of assembly because they couldn’t get a two-third quorum will be revisited. Like I said, all legacy bills that we couldn’t conclude in the political process in the ninth Senate certainly will be resuscitated and brought forward again for consideration in this tenth Senate.”

Moro, no doubt is an astute politician, grassroots mobilizer and team leader. His intimidating credentials read: former university don, one time Local Government Chairman and Minister of Interior at a time before becoming a Senator from the 9th assembly till now. This no doubt has shored up his political acumen, oratory ability and interactive peculiarity.