***There is enough stability in over 95% of the country to hold election
The Chairman Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Kabiru Gaya has given the assurance that the insecurity ravaging the country and the forthcoming census will not affect the conduct of 2023 general elections.
Senator Gaya stated this while fielding questions from newsmen after presenting his committee’s report to the Senate Committee on Appropriations .
Gaya explained that INEC and NPC are separate agencies and the work of one would not affect the other.
“I believe all the units, the Census division and the INEC division are working independently. They can work together in such a way that there would not be interferrence. It doesn’t matter if they are close. They are not doing census on the same day of election.”
On security, he said the Federal Government has promised on many occasions to provide adequate security during after the 2023 general elections.
“”First and foremost we have been monitoring and we are into discussion with INEC and we have been overseeing what they are doing on the issue of security and jow they can conduct election.
“Everyday we spoke to them and they have shown us solutions to the challenges and we hope that by 2023 this election will hold and it will be conducted.
“Over 95% of the country there is stability enough for holding election, they will find a way on how to do election in the areas that are pronned with additional security because you cant do election in a different State on their behalf.I believe we will hold election in 2023.
On the additional funds requested by INEC, Gaya said
“The additional funds is justifiable due to the fact that the value of the Naira has changed and the cost of things are not encouraging therefore we proposed additional N50 billion for INEC to Appropriation committee.
“If INEC gets it right our democracy will be on the right path. Gaya said
Earlier, the Chairman of the Appropriation committee , Senator Jubrin Barau commended Senator Gaya for the good work done by his committee adding that Appropriation committee would do everything possible to ensure that INEC is not handicapped.
“INEC at all times is the fulcrum, the nucleus of the entire democracy. If INEC gets it right our democracy will be on the right part and we all committed in the , indeed the entire National Assembly is committed to creating that enabling environment.”