Electoral Act: Buhari Taking His Time To Improve Electoral Process — Osibanjo

Related stories

Tinubu Departs Saint Lucia, Heads to Brazil for BRICS Summit

By Abiola Olawale President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed Saint Lucia...

2027: Drama, Intrigues as Julius Abure Tells Otti to Quit Labour Party

By Abiola Olawale In a dramatic turn of events, Barrister...

FG Secures $100m for Lagos-Calabar Project from ECOWAS Bank

By Abiola Olawale The Nigerian government has reportedly secured a...

Ex- Arsenal Star Thomas Partey Faces Rape, Sexual Assault Charges in UK

By Abiola Olawale The Metropolitan Police have formally charged former...

Edwin Cortes: Prefers Being A Small Puerto Rican Than Big American

By Owei Lakemfa To be a citizen of the United...

Amid concerns from Nigerians over the continued delay by President Muhammadu Buhari to give assent to the Electoral Act amendment bill, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has called for calm, saying his principal is committed to improving Nigeria’s electoral process.

The vice president made this known while speaking at the 53rd Conference of the National Association of Law Teachers, which held at Bayero University, Kano.

Speaking on the theme, “Law, Democracy and the Electoral Process”, Osibanjo said Buhari will only assent to an Electoral Bill that reflects the interest of all Nigerians.

According to him, the Electoral Bill is an important part of the Nigeria’s democracy, hence Buhari will give his all to ensure that he leaves behind a legacy of inclusive democratic norms through the bill.

In his words, “The Bill itself has been the subject of robust engagement between the government and civil society. While some have expressed reservations about the time it is taking to enact the new law, we should remember that a truly inclusive democratic, deliberative process often takes time.

“I am confident that the legislation that emerges will be one that reflects a broad consensus between all the stakeholders.

“While INEC continues to improve its capacity to conduct credible elections, particularly through the deployment of technology; we recognize that democracy is about much more than voting. It is also about constitutionalism, rule of law, and respect for civil liberties. We must diligently work to uphold these principles.

“Our progress as a democracy must therefore also be prosecuted in terms of the struggle to reduce the basic problems of ill-health, malnutrition, illiteracy, and famine which daily afflict our people. Where social and economic rights are unsecured, people are unable to fully maximize their civil and political rights.”

Recall that Buhari had in December declined his assent to the Electoral bill over the inclusion of the clause 84 compelling parties to adopt Direct Primaries as a mode of electing their flagbearers.

The National Assembly in the bill transmitted to Buhari in November, 2021 had mandated direct primaries as mode of elections for political parties in the country.

However, the president in a letter addressed to the leaders of the both chambers, called for the bill to be reworked on the grounds that the direct primaries would lead to a significant spike in the cost of conducting primary elections by parties as well as increase the cost of monitoring such elections by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The bill had since been reworked by the National Assembly and sent back to Buhari for assent.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

Latest stories

NDN
Latest News
Tinubu Departs Saint Lucia, Heads to Brazil for BRICS Summit2027: Drama, Intrigues as Julius Abure Tells Otti to Quit Labour PartyFG Secures $100m for Lagos-Calabar Project from ECOWAS BankEx- Arsenal Star Thomas Partey Faces Rape, Sexual Assault Charges in UKEdwin Cortes: Prefers Being A Small Puerto Rican Than Big AmericanJune 12 And The International Pursuit of Justice For Abiola, By Femi FalanaBreaking Down the West’s $146 Billion 2024 Defence Technology InvestmentG7 vs. the World: GDP, Population, and Military StrengthUS drillers cut oil and gas rigs for 10th week in a row, Baker Hughes saysExclusive! Tinubu Tips Late Ajimobi's Wife, Florence, Others for Ambassadorial PostsTinubu Mourns, Pays Tribute to Legendary Super Eagles Goalkeeper Peter RufaiNatasha vs Akpabio: Court Orders Senate President To Recall Senator NatashaHadi Sirika Denies Defection to ADC Coalition Rumors, Reaffirms Loyalty to Buhari, APCChina Snubs U.S. Crude for Third Month, Even as Ethane Trade RestartsHow Super Eagles Icon Peter Rufai passed Away at 61
X whatsapp