Senate will consider proposals to increase requirements for election petitions – Jibrila

The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Barau Jibril said that the Senate would consider proposals to increase requirements for filling election petitions.

He also said that it would impose punitive costs for unmeritorious cases.

Jibril stated this at the National Conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

The theme of the conference is: “Matters Arising from 2023 elections and Associated Socio-economic challenges,” organised by the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN).

Jibril was represented by his Special Adviser on Policy and Monitoring Prof. Bashir Fagge.

He said that the senate would consider proposals to expand the time limit for determining petitions.

“These reforms will aim to ensure that only genuine grievances proceed to the tribunal while maintaining access to justice,” he said.

On current economic situation, Jibrila said the Senate was fully aware of the pressing economic difficulties, and security challenge facing Nigeria.

”We hope to developed a detailed roadmap to ensure that the legislature supports, promotes, and overseas the strategic objectives of the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

”A major thematic area of our agenda is Economic Growth and Development. The Senate understands the depth of expectations from Nigerians looking desperately for solutions.

“We will engage vigorously with the executive, private sector and civil society groups to deliver socioeconomic reforms that will restore stability and lunch us towards sustainable development.”

Earlier, the President, Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN), Sheikh AbdurRasheed Hadiyatullah, said the 2023 elections had generated many issues which the conference will avail participants the opportunity to critically assess.

“The conference will offer participants the opportunity to ventilate their grievances and others to proffer suggestions and ideas on the way going forward.”

Also speaking, Sen. Ahmed Yarima, said the objective of the conference was to educate the Muslims and the Nigerian society at large, on the outcome of the 2023 elections.

The former governor of Zamfara expressed optimism that the conference would proffers solutions to some of the political and economic challenges facing the country.

In attendance were former Speakers of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and former Chairman National Hajj Commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed.

Others are Dr Bashir Aliyu, Vice President, Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria among others.