On Monday, the presidency called calls for President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Law Amendment Bill “ignorant.”
In a statement, the president’s press assistant, Femi Adesina, said civil society organizations that have been calling for the bill’s passage are taking advantage of the president’s delay to foment civil disorder and muddy the waters.
He said the president has a 30-day window to sign the bill into law or decline assent. For this purpose, he said, the executive could do due diligence on the matter until March 1, since it was broadcast on January 31, 2022.
“Some interest groups are capitalizing on what they see as a delay in the President signing the Election Bill to foment civil disorder and muddy the waters.
“One can commiserate with their ignorance of constitutional requirements… Proposed legislation that has to do with the electoral fortunes of the country must be carefully scrutinized and made as perfect as possible.
“Those who play cheap politics are therefore encouraged to remain silent, knowing that the right thing will be done within the legal timeframe,” part of the statement read.
The statement comes amid calls from civic groups for the president to give his approval to the legislation on or before February 22.
Lawmakers transmitted the bill to the president on January 31 for his approval, after the latter refused five times to approve the bill.
In March 2018, he rejected the bill, considering that it could usurp the powers of the electoral arbitrator, INEC. In July of the same year, he rejected the bill citing drafting problems.
In September, he did not act on the bill until the deadline had passed. In December, the reason for him was that he was too close to the 2019 general election.
And in December 2021, he declined to give assent to the current bill based on the adoption of direct primaries as the only legally approved procedure for the nomination of candidates.
In an interview, Mr. Buhari promised to sign the legislation if lawmakers review the bill and allow more options for the mode of the primaries.
Last month, both the Senate and House of Representatives amended the bill that provides for direct, indirect and consensus modes of primary elections. It was transmitted to the president for his approval a week later.
While the president has 30 days to act on the bill, as prescribed in the constitution, civic groups have said that if it is not signed by February 22, it could affect the timetable for the 2023 elections.
In the new bill, the INEC must issue an Election Notice no later than 360 days before the day set for an election and since the INEC has set February 18, 2023 for the election, the bill must be signed before of February 22 for the law. to take effect.
ALSO READ: UPDATED: Election Amendment: I will sign the amended bill if it is democratic – Buhari
Since then, some CSOs have declared Tuesday, February 22, as a day of National Protest, to demand the immediate approval of the legislation.
Read the full statement:
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE PASSAGE OF ELECTION BILL: NO NEED FOR SABER NOISESome interest groups are capitalizing on what they see as a delay in the President’s signing the Election Bill into law to foment disorder civilian and muddy the waters.
One can commiserate with his ignorance of the constitutional requirements, since the president has a 30-day window to sign the bill, or decline assent, after it has been conveyed to him by the National Assembly.
It is known that the reformed project was sent to the Presidency on January 31, 2022, which means that the Executive could carry out due diligence until March 1, as established by the Constitution.
Proposed legislation that has to do with the electoral fortunes of the country must be carefully scrutinized and made as perfect as possible.
Therefore, those who play cheap politics with him are encouraged to keep quiet, knowing that the right thing will be done within the legal time.
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Special Advisor to the President
(Media and Advertising)
February 21, 2022