The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the upcoming Remo Federal Constituency by-election in Ogun State, Adesola Elegbeji, has called for a constitutional amendment to allow political parties retain legislative seats without a fresh election when an incumbent dies in office.
Elegbeji made the call on Thursday while speaking to journalists at the monthly guest forum of the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abeokuta. She described the current provision for a by-election in such circumstances as a “double punishment” for the affected party.
According to her, the APC should have been allowed to nominate a replacement for the late Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, who died in January after a brief illness, instead of contesting for the seat again.
“We lost our sister, and now we’re being made to fight for what is rightfully ours. In the future, I believe the constitution or the Electoral Act should be amended so that when a party legitimately wins a seat and loses the occupant to death, it can appoint a replacement without going through another election,” she said.
The APC candidate, who is contesting alongside opponents from other parties including the PDP, said her over 11 years in grassroots politics have prepared her to deliver effective representation.
“I might not look like a typical politician, but I have paid my dues. I have contested several elective positions and also served on the Ogun State Judicial Service Commission,” she added.
Earlier, Ogun NUJ Chairman, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju, clarified that the forum was not a campaign platform but an opportunity for candidates to share their plans with constituents. He assured that the August 16 by-election would be free, fair, and credible.
