Buhari Writes NASS, Declines Assent To Electoral Act Amendment Bill

President Muhammadu has declined assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill over the direct primaries clause. 

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.

He further noted that conducting direct primary elections will be tasking, explaining that since such mode of election means a large turnout of voters, the move would stretch the security agencies.

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.

Buhari’s most recent move followed debates over the Electoral Act Amendment Bill which he was supposed to sign on or before December 19th, 2021.