NASS leadership election: Rep Olasupo restates rules

A member of the House of Representatives, Mr Abiodun Olasupo, on Monday, said that there was no ambiguity in the rules of the National Assembly in electing its leadership.

Olasupo, who spoke in an interview with our reporter in Iseyin, said the rules of the House was clear on how leaders would emerge.

Recall that the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Ita Enang, had advocated for the adoption of the 2011 House Rule in electing the 9th Assembly leadership.

It was also recalled that the spokesman of the Alhaji Atiku Abubakar campaign, Mr Segun Sowunmi, rejected the call by Enang, saying that the rules only allow the use of secret ballot system.

Olasupo, who is representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa and Kajola Federal Constituency, said ”the constitution empowers the National Assembly to regulate its own affairs and set its own rules.

”What is existing now in our rules is an open secret ballot system; the Clerks of Senate or House of Reps would do a roll call, preside over the election of the presiding officers and swear them in.

”Members are called state by state and you will be given a ballot paper, then walk into the box provided and write the name of the candidate of your choice then put it into the box,” he said.

According to him, he has noticed moves by some politicians to change the rules in their favour.

The lawmaker, therefore, advised all interested parties to play the game by the rules.