Itse Sagay, chairman of
Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), says the federal
government can invoke the doctrine of necessity to fund the 2019 elections if
the national assembly fails to appropriate funds for that purpose.
President Muhammadu Buhari had
asked the federal lawmakers to approve N242 billion for the polls shortly
before they embarked on their annual recess on July 24.
Although they are expected to
reconvene on September 25, the relevant committees have already began work on
the president’s request.
In a statement on Wednesday,
Sagay said if elections are not held, there will be a collapse of the country’s
democracy.
“The failure or refusal by the
national assembly to approve funds for the 2019 election will constitute a
sabotage of our democracy, of which the constitution is the embodiment,” the
statement read.
“If elections are not held, it
will mean the collapse of our democracy, leading to chaos and anarchy. The
question that arises is simple. Which is more critical to democracy and the
survival of Nigeria: Is it (one) the power of the national assembly to approve
budgets or (two) the survival of democracy and Nigeria itself?
“If the survival of democracy is
more important and fundamental to Nigeria’s existence, then failure to approve
the budget for elections will trigger the doctrine of necessity, thus
compelling the funding of election without the approval of the national
assembly.
“It is simply a question of the
survival of democracy and the continued existence of Nigeria. The power of
approval of budget is just a single item in the whole of the constitution.
“On the contrary, elections and
democracy which they support, constitute what the whole constitution is about.
Therefore, the overriding necessity and imperative of elections and democracy
simply override the power of national assembly.
“If the national assembly refuses
or fails to approve the budget for election, the doctrine of necessity will
validate the provision of the funds without the national assembly’s approval.”
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