President Muhammadu Buhari has formally declined assent to the Electoral (Amendment) Bill.
In a letter to both chambers of the National Assembly, Mr Buhari said passing a new bill with elections close by could ‘create some uncertainty about the legislation to govern the process.’
He also highlighted some part of the bills that he said needs legislative action.
Many politicians including leaders of the main opposition party, PDP, had called on the president to assent to the bill.
Mr Buhari’s decision to withold assent to the bill was first hinted by his aide, Ita Enang, who said earlier on Friday the president had sent the bill back to parliament.
The president had declined assent to the bill in previous times citing “drafting issues.”
Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan last week said Mr Buhari should take time to study the bill and take a decision he is comfortable with.
Mr Buhari had first in March withheld assent to the bill with reasons that the proposed law would usurp the constitutional powers of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to decide on election matters, including fixing dates and election order.
However, after a second communication from the National Assembly, the president again in September declined to assent to the bill.
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