Buhari explains why he declined assent to the electoral bill

President Muhammadu Buhari has explained why he declined assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021.

He made this known in a letter addressed to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan after the 30-day window for him to assent the bill elapsed over the weekend. According to the President, the prevailing situation in the country would not allow him sign the bill.

Buhari cited the high cost of conducting direct primaries, the security challenge of monitoring the election, violation of citizens’ rights and marginalization of small political parties among other reasons for rejecting the bill. He said it would be better to allow each political party to determine its mode of selecting candidates for election.

He noted that he received advice from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government, and had also carefully reviewed the Bill in light of the current realities prevalent in the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the circumstances.