President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday explained why he withheld assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, which he has returned to the National Assembly.
His explanation was contained in letters read in the two chambers of the National Assembly on Tuesday by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
In the lengthy letter read on the floor of the House by the speaker, Buhari said Section 87 of the Bill which requires political parties to conduct only direct primaries is an infringement on the rights of the political parties to make their own choices.
The President also said in the December 13 letter that the law could lead to significant increase in the cost of conducting elections.
He also said that the process of direct primaries is open to manipulation and could increase the level of corruption in the country as those willing to contest elections may deepen their hand into public funds to mobilise even non-members to vote for them.
He added that it would infringe on the rights of Nigerians to participate in governance and democracy.
“The amendment as proposed is a violation of the underlying spirit of democracy, which is characterised by freedom of choices of which political party membership is a voluntary exercise of the constitutional right of freedom of association,” the statement reads in part.
He added that the existing constitution of the parties already registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) permits direct, indirect and consensus primaries.
He said opposition parties could also sponsor people to vote against popular candidates in an election to pave way for them.
The bill was transmitted to the president on November 19.
Buhari, who said he got relevant advice from all concerned ministries, departments and agencies, cited financial, security and legal consequences for rejecting the bill.
He said his decision is based on informed advice by relevant ministries, departments and agencies of the government, and careful review of the bill in light of the current realities prevalent in the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the circumstances.
Parliament will decide the way forward – Gbajabiamila
In his end of the year speech, Gbajabiamila said the parliament will decide the way forward on the bill next year.
He noted that there would be no need to throw away the baby with the bathwater.
“As it is, it falls on the parliament to decide the way forward. When we resume next year, we will decide it together. We must not throw a baby away with the bathwater,” he said.
