Electoral Bill: Buhari Declined Assent? Presidency Gives Update

• The presidency has said President Buhari is yet to take a decision on the Electoral Bill awaiting his assent
• Buhari had received the bill from NASS on November 19, and he has until December 19 to either sign it or withhold his assent
• The bill has been sparking controversy as some influential Nigerians are reportedly putting pressure on the president to reject the bill

The presidency has dismissed speculations that President Muhammadu Buhari has declined assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

Responding exclusively to an enquiry from The Nation, the president's senior special assistant on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said there is no cause for alarm as Buhari is still consulting widely on whether or not to give his nod to the amended law.

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Shehu stated:

“There is no truth in the story that President Muhammadu Buhari has declined signature on the bill.

"He has not taken a decision yet. The president is widely consulting.

“I believe there is nothing to worry about. There is still time. I believe he still has up to December 19th or thereabouts.”

NASS passes electoral bill

The National Assembly had on Tuesday, November 9, passed the much anticipated Electoral Bill 2021 and approved the electronic transmission of results after a lot of deliberations, reported Channels TV.

The Electoral Act, which is awaiting the assent of President Buhari, has been raising dust and controversies.

The president has up till December 19 to append or decline his signature to the bill.

The Nigerian leader is reportedly under pressure from influential Nigerians not to sign the bill because they do not want direct primaries to be conducted by political parties and electronic voting/transmission of results.

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Legit.ng earlier reported that governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were said to be making new moves to ensure the Electoral Act is not signed by President Buhari.

Lawmakers ready to override Buhari’s Veto

Meanwhile, some members of the National Assembly have vowed to take action if President Buhari decides not to give his approval to the Electoral Act.

A senator who spoke on condition of anonymity said that they had met and resolved to overrule Buhari if he declines to sign the bill.

Source: Legit.ng