The House of Representatives has condemned the High Court judgement in Umuahia Abia State that directed the contentious section 84 sub-section 12 of the passed Electoral Act be deleted.
This followed a motion raised under personal privilege by Hon. Sada Soli from Kano State, which was supported by the Minority Leader of the House, Tony Elumelu.
The lawmakers frown at what they described as ignoble attempt by the court to usurp the constitutional roles of the Parliament.
Specifically, the lawmakers citing different legal authorities condemned in strong terms attempt to hurriedly delete the contentious section, even when the National Assembly was not joined in the matter.
Contributing to the heated debate, Leader of the House, Ado Doguwa and Chief Whip of the House, Muhammed Tahir Mongunu said Legislature is the only Institution of government under democracy that has the rights of law making.
The lawmakers wondered why an issue originated from Abuja will have to be filed in Abia state.
Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila while ruling on the motions said he cannot allow anyone to rubbish the Institution of Legislatures, even though he absolved President Muhammadu Buhari, as relying on the legal advices from his aides on the matter.
Going forward, the Speaker called out the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to tarry and not to usurp the the role of the National Assembly, by foreclosing the right of appeal.
Gbajabiamila said by the power conferred on him, the appeals moved on the floor as regards the contentious issue are converted to motions.
The green chamber resolved to appeal and set aside the judgement.
It also resolved that the National Assembly will file a complaint to National Judicial Council (NJC) against the Judge who gave the judgement, alleging that such judgement amounts to gross misconduct.
The House also resolved to urge the AGF to tarry in implementing the the judgement, stressing that he should give the privilege of appeal and not to present the National Assembly with a fait accompli.
Similarly, Senate in a motion sponsored by Senator Sekibo George and 78 others, the Senate was concerned on the judgment of an Abia High Court, especially as the Senate was not given opportunity to represent herself in a matter that emanates from her legitimate functions, it further believes that letting the judgement go without concern will become a precedence on which any person could go to court and obtain judgement to ridicule the good intentions of the National Assembly.
The upper chamber however resolved to follow appropriate channel and appeal the judgement in suit marked FHC/UM/CS/26/2022 for the court to set aside the judgement in section 318 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.