After a closed session on Wednesday, the Nigerian Senate refused to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto of the 2010 Electoral Act (amendments) Bill 2021.
Recall that President Buhari had written a letter to the National Assembly stating reasons he would not sign the Electoral Act (amendments) Bill 2021.
However, after today meeting with other senators the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan speaking with newsmen said the Senate will meet with members of the House of Representatives on the way forward on the issues.
Buhari’s position was conveyed in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and read during the start of the plenary after the chamber came out from a closed session. In the letter dated December 13, Buhari explained that his decision to withhold assent to the electoral bill was informed by advice from relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government after a thorough review.
According to the president, signing the bill into law would have serious adverse legal, financial, economic, and security consequences on the country, particularly given Nigeria’s peculiarities.
He added that it would also impact negatively the rights of citizens to participate in the government as constitutionally ensured.
The letter entitled, “Withholding of Assent to Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021”, reads, among others, “Further to the letter dated 18th November 2021 forwarded for presidential assent, the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021 as passed by the National Assembly, I have received informed advice from relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the Government, and have also carefully reviewed the Bill in light of the current realities prevalent in the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the circumstances.
Gov. Abiodun approves 200% increase in judges’ allowances
“Arising from the review, Mr. Senate President may wish to note that the conduct of elections for the nomination of party candidates solely via ndirect primaries as envisaged by the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021 has serious adverse legal, financial, economic, and security consequences which cannot be accommodated at the moment considering our nation’s peculiarities. “It also has implications on the rights of citizens to participate in the government as constitutionally ensured.
According to the president, the Bill seeks to amend certain provisions of the extant Electoral Act 2010. Part of the objective, he said, is the amendment of the present Section 87, to delete the provision for the conduct of indirect primaries in the nomination of party candidates such nthat party.
