The Abuja branch of the Obosi Development Union has demanded an explanation from Uche Ekwunife, the Senator representing Anambra Central in the national assembly over her absence during the important debate on the Electoral Act Amendment and subsequent physical vote for the electronic transmission of results by lawmakers.
Ekwunife who was absent during the debate had earlier claimed she travelled to Anambra to commission projects.
However, pictures and videos which surfaced on the Internet showed that the Senator was at the burial of the mother of Obi Iyiegbu, the chief executive officer of Cubana group.
Other Senators from the South East who were absent during the vote include Ifeanyi Ubah, Stella Oduah, Chimaroke Nnamani and Ike Ekweremadu.
Others are Rochas Okorocha and Theodore Orji. They are expected to receive similar demands from their constituents.
In the demand issued to Ekwunife and dated 19th July, the Obosi Development Union reminded the Senator of her responsibility to speak on behalf of her constituents on important national issues.
REQUEST FOR EXPLANATION OF YOUR ABSENCE AT PLENARY ON Thursday 15th JULY, 2021
We are members of Obosi Development Union (ODU) Abuja branch, your constituents whom you represent at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly.
We have observed with dismay from the compilation of the votes of Senators for the Bill on Electronic Transmission of Election Results, that you were absent on Thursday 15 July, 2021 when the Draft Bill was put to vote on the floor of the Senate Chambers, a day that presented an opportunity for history to be made in the electoral process of the Federal Republic of Nigeria- a country bedeviled with various forms of electoral riggings and manipulations
We have no doubt that you are aware that the disaffection with the electoral system in Nigeria is intrinsically connected to the lack of integrity and confidence in the electoral result delivery process. Tho acrimony and violence in our electoral process has led to fatalities, too numerous to mention.
Obosi as a town has experienced quite a number of fracases that culminated in deaths during the election result collation process, hence our feeling of disappointment that our voice did not count owing to your absence on the day
of the vote.
As our representative in the Senate, we expect that when very sensitive and important decisions or voting is taking plece in the Senate, you will not only make yourself available but also use every means possible to lobby your colleagues (especialy those from the
North because of their numerical strength) to support initiatives that will advance the cause of your constituents.
lyom, bear in mind that if this issue is not well handled, it has the capacity to overshadow your performance and define your legacy as our representative, as it portrays a clear and unambiguous disconnect with the desires of your constituents.
