President Buhari signing the Electoral Act Amendment Act into law, Friday afternoon, Feb 25, 2022
Finally, Buhari signs Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law
President Muhammadu Buhari, Friday, signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021, into law, after months of stalling on the document amid disquiet by civil society groups and the main opposition party.
Speaking at the event, the president, who highlighted the contents and advantages of the Act, urged the National Assembly to immediately amend Section 84 of the Act, in line with the nation’s 1999 Constitution as amended.
He expressed the hope that the law would promote sound electoral processes and good governance in the country.
The leadership of the National Assembly led by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, witnessed the signing of the bill at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja.
Others at the Council Chamber included Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.
It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had said that it will only release the 2023 General Election timetable after the Electoral Act Amendment Bill is signed into law.
INEC Chairman, Mr Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this last month in Abuja during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political parties.
“On the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before the National Assembly, the Commission is encouraged by the Senate President’s assurance to give priority attention to the Bill when the National Assembly reconvenes from its recess today, and the commitment by the President to assent to the Bill as soon as the issue of mode of primaries by political parties is resolved. We look forward to a speedy passage of the Bill, which is crucial to our preparations for future elections.
“As soon as it is signed into law, the Commission will quickly release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election based on the new law”.
The controversial bill which President Buhari said would breed insecurity and cost relates to compelling political parties to adopt direct primaries as modes of electing their candidates for election.
However, it would also be recalled that the recently-concluded Osun State Governorship Primary election of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was conducted via direct primaries, last week.
