President Muhammadu has declined assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021, over the direct primaries clause in line with provision of the Constitution
In a letter sent to the National Assembly, President Buhari cited several issues with the clause.
During plenary session on Tuesday, the upper and lower chambers read the content of the President’s letter.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan, who read out the content of the document to the lawmakers at the Senate, gave reasons for Buhari’s move.
The President, according to the letter, explained that direct primaries are expensive. This, he said, will put a financial burden on the country’s resources.
Muhammadu Buhari further said his decision was based on informed advice by relevant ministries, departments and agencies of the government, and careful review of the bill in light of the current realities prevalent in the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the circumstances.
The Letter also says the president believed that going by the provisions of section 58-1 and 4 he was constrained to sign the bill in to law, thereby considered that the parties should be allowed to freely exercise right of choice in deciding which of direct and indirect primaries to adopt as their respective realities may permit them.
The Nigerian leader equally fears that with direct primaries, citizens’ rights will be violated while smaller political parties may face marginalisation.
According to him, the move will also lead to more litigations by party members.
COV/ BASHIR M, ABUJA
