BEVERLY HILLS, November 28, (THEWILL) – The National Assembly has been urged to fast-track the passage of a Bill seeking to allow Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country to vote in their various camps during the forthcoming general elections.
The member representing Gwoza in the Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. Ahmed Jaha, made the call on Friday, saying the National Assembly should accord the Bill the utmost urgency it deserves.
The lawmaker, who made the call in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, is aspiring to represent Damboa, Chibok and Gwoza at the House of Representatives in 2015.
Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South at the National Assembly had sponsored the Bill seeking to ensure the voting rights of the IDPs during the elections.
Meanwhile, Jaha has pleaded with the Federal Government to ensure the liberation of Gwoza local government area of the state, saying it is the most affected local government area by the Boko Haram insurgency rocking the North East presently.
Gwoza town and many other local government areas in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States have been under Boko Haram siege for some time now.
“Currently there is a bill before the National Assembly seeking to allow IDPs vote in their respective camps. We hope and pray that the bill will be passed, so that our people will not be disenfranchised,” the lawmaker said.
He however expressed gratitude to the Adamawa State Government for assisting IDPs from Gwoza who were camped in Uba, Yola and Mubi before they were relocated to Maiduguri.
“I also want to commend Governor Kashim Shettima and the Borno State Government for catering to the needs of the displaced people of Gwoza since they were camped in Maiduguri,” he added.
