Buhari Explains Why He Refused To Sign The Electoral Bill Into Law

Buhari Explains Why He Refused To Sign The Electoral Bill Into Law

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed why the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021 did not receive his approval.

 

Touchaheart Nigeria reports that the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, claimed in a letter to the President of the Senate after the 30-day window for him to assent the bill lapsed over the weekend that the current situation in the country would prevent him from signing the bill.

 

Buhari listed a number of reasons for rejecting the law, including the expensive cost of holding direct primaries, the security challenges of election monitoring, violations of people’ rights, and the marginalization of tiny political parties.

 

He also stated that he had obtained informed counsel from key government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, and that he had carefully studied the Bill in light of the current realities in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 

Finally, Buhari stated that it would be preferable to enable each political party to choose its own method of picking candidates for election.

 

This comes after Femi Gbajabiamila, the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, expressed optimism that President Buhari would sign the measure when it was transmitted on December 19.