The All Progressives Congress has called on opposition parties to stop blaming it for the provisions of the Electoral Act, stressing that the legislation is a national law enacted by a constitutionally empowered institution, not a partisan instrument.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made this known on Wednesday during an appearance on ARISE TV, where he addressed what he described as a “flawed” narrative being promoted by opposition figures.
Morka maintained that attributing the actions of the National Assembly to the APC reflects a poor understanding of the legislative process in a democratic system. He explained that lawmaking is separate from party operations and that all political parties are subject to the same legal framework.
“The APC has no reason to intimidate anyone. The Electoral Act was promulgated by the NASS pursuant to its constitutional authority; the APC isn’t the National Assembly. We’re also affected by the Act’s mandatory e-register for parties.
“I don’t know where the opposition thinks we have an advantage or are skewing the process in our favour,” Morka stated.
His remarks followed concerns raised by opposition leaders who argued that the APC’s majority in the National Assembly has produced a legal structure that favours the ruling party.
Dismissing the claims, Morka insisted that the APC cannot be held responsible for legislation passed by the parliament.
“We are not coercing, we are not intimidating, and we have no reason to coerce or intimidate anyone or any opposition party.
“Now, the Electoral Act was promulgated by the National Assembly, pursuant to its constitutional authority. The APC is not the National Assembly,” Morka told the interviewer.
In further defence of the legislative process, the APC spokesman described the National Assembly as a reflection of Nigeria’s political diversity, comprising elected representatives from different political parties.
He argued that it would be misleading to attribute every law passed by the Assembly solely to the APC simply because it holds the majority.
“The National Assembly is an agglomeration of all of the elected representatives of the people across political parties. Yes, we are in the majority, no doubt, but that does not mean that the Act of the National Assembly must then necessarily be ascribed or become ascribable to the APC. That would be a flaw, which is unfair and actually even nonsensical,” he added.
Morka also challenged opposition parties to clearly identify where the alleged advantage exists, noting that the APC is equally bound by the provisions of the Act, including those that may restrict certain electoral methods.
He urged political stakeholders to respect the authority of the National Assembly as a long-standing constitutional body that predates the APC.
“We have the Electoral Act that was promulgated and signed by the President of the Federal Republic and today is now law.
“The fact of the matter is that, you know, we, the APC, are affected like everyone else, all other political parties in the country. I don’t know where they think that the APC has an advantage or that the APC is doing something untoward to skew the process in its favour”, Morka said.
Wrapping up his comments, Morka cited the party’s compliance with provisions such as the prohibition of indirect primaries as proof of its respect for the rule of law, urging opposition parties to do likewise.
“We are not doing that. The Electoral Act, you know, for instance, the Electoral Act has proscribed the indirect primary system for the election of, you know, those who govern. You know, we are not screaming because we respect the authority of the National Assembly. Everybody else should do the same. We didn’t create the National Assembly. The APC did not create it. The Constitution predates the APC,” Morka concluded.
