NASS Transmits Electoral Bill To President Buhari

Following successful rework, passage and harmonisation of the controversial electoral (amendment 2022) bill, the National Assembly has on Monday transmitted the bill for presidential assent.

The president had withheld his assent in 2021 citing various reasons, including the undemocratic nature of the bill.

He also said it will be financially draining on the country thus requesting the lawmakers to amend some sections and re-forward for his assent.

The lawmakers have resolved the controversial clauses in the bill, including provision for concensus candidates and indirect primary for nomination of candidates by political parties.

Declaring the news of the transmission on Monday to newsmen, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, noted that, “The Clerk to the National Assembly Mr. Olatunde Amos Ojo has transmitted the authenticated copies of the Electoral Bill 2022 to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on 31st January 2022.”

He added that, “This was done in accordance with the provisions of Section 58 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004.

Ojo recalled that, “Mr. President had withheld assent to the Electoral Bill 2021 transmitted to him on 19th November 2021.

The Electoral Bill was thereafter reworked by the National Assembly and both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed same on 25th January 2022.’’

If passed into law, it will allow for consensus candidate, direct and indirect primaries as political parties will wish to elect their candidates seeking political offices.