Anger Over Reworked Electoral Bill As Governors Lead Opposition
- Some people are not happy with the reworked Electoral Bill that will be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari
- They will consequently mount pressure on the President to withhold his assent until two clauses are amended or dropped
- The clauses in contention are resignation by appointed political office holders before 2023 election primaries
PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Legit.ng News on your Facebook News Feed!
Some All Progressives Congress (APC), governors are not happy with the reworked Electoral Bill . As a result of this, they are leading the opposition to it.
Recall that the Bill is due to be delivered to President Muhammadu Buhari today, January 31, for his assent.
Source: Facebook
As a result of this, they will mount pressure on the Buhari to withhold his assent until two clauses are amended or dropped.
The Nation Newspaper reports that the clauses in contention are resignation by appointed political office holders, including ministers, commissioners and others before 2023 election primaries; and the ‘unworkable’ consensus option in picking candidates by political parties.
PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app
The newspaper quoting an unnamed source said it might be a battle of the fittest by the governors and the National Assembly this week.
The source said:
“The National Assembly has inserted two new clauses on consensus and resignation by all political office holders before contesting for 2023 poll.
“While the senators and members of the House of Representatives agreed on consensus, they recommended that before a consensus candidate can emerge, all contestants must sign a written agreement that they have consented to the adoption of such an aspirant.
“They inserted in the re-amended bill that if one of the contestants is dissenting, no one can become a consensus candidate. Instead, all the contestants will either go for direct or indirect primary election.
“The senators and the Representatives put the difficult clause on consensus to stop the governors from imposing any anointed aspirant. The governors can no longer work to the answer."
2023 presidency: Why we want speedy passage of Amended Electoral Bill, INEC
In another report, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged both chambers of the National Assembly to harmonize and expedite action in the passage of the amended electoral bill.
According to the electoral body, the speedy passage of the bill is necessary, in order to provide it with a framework to organize its activities ahead of the 2023 general election, Leadership reports.
The national commissioner, Information and Voter Education (IVEC), Barr. Festus Okoye, made the call in Asaba, Delta state, during a two-day capacity building workshop for Heads of Voter Education and Publicity (VEP) and Public Affairs Officers of INEC from the 17 southern states of Nigeria.
Professor Jega asks Buhari to give nod to electoral bill
Recall that a former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, at the citizens' townhall, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to give assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill on time.
Read also
2023: We’ll track funding sources, monitor bank accounts of politicians, parties INEC warns
Jega stated that INEC needs the law in place to begin serious preparations for the 2023 elections.
He admitted that some issues in the bill need clarification, but added that other aspects of the document deserve the president's nod.
Going back memory lane, the former INEC boss stated that since 2010, Nigeria has not had any notable improvement in its electoral laws.
2023: If elected president, WASSCE fees would be paid for every Nigerian child - Tinubu
In another report, Tinubu has promised to pay the West African Senior School Certificate Examination fees for every Nigerian child if he is elected president.
The APC chieftain made the statement in a video shared by The Cable on Wednesday, January 19.
His words: “Your children's West African examination fees will be paid by us, so that no one, no matter how poor, will be left behind."
Source: Legit.ng
