NASS Can’t Override Buhari’s Refusal To Sign New Electoral Act -Wike

NASS Can’t Override Buhari’s Refusal To Sign New Electoral Act -Wike

Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor said the National Assembly lacks the audacity to override the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) to sign the Electoral Act amendment bill.

Touchaheart Nigeria reports that according to Wike, the federal legislature lacks courage because it is part of the All Progressives Congress’ plan to deny Nigerians a free, fair, and transparent election in 2023.

Wike stated that the only way for Nigerians to avoid repeating the 2015 and 2019 mistakes of electing the APC-led Federal Government is to vote them out in 2023.

This online news outlet stated that Wike made the remarks during the flag-off of the Chokocho-Igbodo Road, which was performed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Monday in Etche Local Government Area.

Kelvin Ebiri, the governor’s media aide, confirmed this in a statement made available to journalists.

The Rivers State governor recalled how most people did not believe him when he expressed concern that President Buhari would not sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law, which would provide legal impetus to electronic transmission of election results.

“Three weeks ago, I told Nigerians that there is a clear conspiracy to prevent a free, fair, and transparent election in 2023.” “I also told Nigerians that Mr. President will not sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill,” he said.

Governor Wike stated that knowing the APC’s mode of operation, style, and strategy, it was obvious to him and all discerning minds that the direct primaries clause was inserted into the Electoral Act amendment bill as a ploy for the president to refuse assent to the bill.

According to him, APC members are concerned that if results are transmitted electronically, they will not be able to compete in the 2023 general election.

“What the APC resolved in their meeting was that their issue is not necessarily direct primaries, but the electronic transmission of results in 2023.”

“If they allow that, the APC will undoubtedly lose the election in 2023.” “So they told themselves that the only way they could survive is to include direct primaries in the bill so that Mr. President could use that as an excuse not to sign the bill,” Wike explained.

He accused APC governors and National Assembly members of deceiving Nigerians into believing they were engaged in a battle for supremacy on the issue of direct primaries, when in fact they had secretly agreed to scuttle the possibility of electronically transmitting election results in 2023.

 

Governor Wike stated that the National Assembly lacked the necessary votes to override the President’s refusal to sign the bill.

According to Wike, lawmakers are uninterested in protecting Nigerians’ interests and ensuring free and fair elections through electronic transmission of election results.

“Unfortunately, you do not have a National Assembly that has what it takes, that will stand up for the people, that will say, ‘We were elected by the people, and we want to give the people the best.'” Nobody in the National Assembly, not even the leadership, has what it takes to say, “Mr. President, we are going to veto this your refusal in the interest of Nigerians,” he said.

The governor maintained that because the APC does not prioritize Nigerians’ interests, its leaders are embroiled in a crisis, jostling for benefits that feed their egos.

He stated that the Peoples Democratic Party is distinct because it is growing stronger as a true political party and working every day to improve the socio-economic conditions of people in PDP-controlled states.

Speaking about the 27.12km Chokocho-Igbodo Road project, Governor Wike stated that even though the Federal Government had refused to repair the road for years, he was willing to help.

According to him, 40% of the contract sum has already been paid to the contractor, Setraco Nigeria Limited, for the project to be completed within the next 12 months.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who led the flag-off, described Governor Wike as a visionary leader whose pattern of development is creating economic corridors not only within Rivers State but also linking it to the three neighboring states.

Touchaheart Nigeria reports that according to Governor Makinde, it should be noted that the push to liberate Nigeria from APC misrule began in Rivers State right here in Etche.

Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, described the project, saying the Chokocho-Igbodo Road serves Rivers and some neighboring South-East states.