National Assembly To Review Buhari’s Refusal To Sign Electoral Bill

National Assembly to review the reasons for Buhari’s refusal to assent to Electoral Act Amendment Bill next year.

Accprding to reports, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this, yesterday, during the official commissioning of some road projects and stadiums he facilitated in Surulere Federal Consistency 1.

The projects are: Razaq Balogun Road (in Adeniran Ogunsanya Street); Obele mini stadium; rehabilitation of Dodo Williams Street (Rasaq Balogun); Rasaq Balogun mini stadium; Ishola Road (by Randle); and Dosunmu/Adedoyin/Ojikutu Link Roads.

Buhari recently refused to sign the bill into law; for the inclusion of mandatory direct primaries for political parties. Nigerians and civil society groups, however, have called on lawmakers to either veto the President or remove the contentious clause and re-present the bill to the President.

The Speaker who pointed out that to override the President’s decision, the lawmakers need the support of two third of the members, said: “The President, in his wisdom, did it with good intention, based on advice he got and weighed everything carefully.

“When we come back to the House, we will determine if those reasons sit well with the National Assembly and maybe consider removing that clause and passing the bill, so that we do not throw away the baby with the bath water.”

The Speaker noted that Nigerians deserve a credible electoral law and process, and which they must get.

According to him:

“The amendment regarding direct or indirect primary was moved by me and I initiated it for good reason simply for the people to participate during elections. People come around every four years and campaign for parties. For me, it doesn’t make sense that the same people are not able to have a voice in who represents them.

“So, I thought one way to reform the system and make it more accountable is for them to have a voice in determining who represents them as opposed to two or three people taking that decision.”

Earlier, Gbajabiamila said the commissioned projects would serve as dividends of democracy to the people he represents at the National Assembly. He also charged them to make best use of the facilities to improve their living conditions, even as he pledged to do more.

Following the President’s decision to decline assent to the bill, some Abuja-based civil society organisations (CSOs) have urged the National Assembly to carry out a comprehensive review of the bill to ensure all editorial, drafting and cross-referencing gaps are addressed.