President Muhammadu
Buhari has, in a letter to the national assembly, withheld assent to the
electoral act amendment bill.
The national assembly had, on November 19, transmitted the
bill to the president for assent.
Among the amendments are recommendations on direct primaries
for political parties and electronic transmission of election results.
According to THISDAY, the president, who kicked against the recommendation on adopting direct primaries, cited concerns on rights violation as well as cost as part of reasons for his refusal to assent to the bill.
“The amendment as
proposed is the 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
president was quoted as saying in the letter.
The president was also said to have cited other concerns
such as security and litigation issues that may arise from adopting direct
primary.
“The president said the prevailing situation in the country
will not allow him sign the bill. Among other reasons, the president cited high
cost of conducting direct primaries, the security challenge of monitoring the
election, violation of citizens’ rights, marginalisation of small political
parties,” the report reads.
“Buhari also notes
that adopting direct primaries has implications on the rights of citizens to
participate in the government, as constitutionally insured.
“According to the president, the conduct of direct primaries
will lead to a significant spike in the cost of conducting primary elections by
parties, as well as the increase in the cost of monitoring such elections by
INEC.
“He explained that the direct consequences of the high cost
are monetisation and that it will drive and increase financial crimes and
constitute further strain on the economy.
“In his view, it will also stifle smaller parties without
the enormous resources required to mobilise all party members for the
primaries, a situation which he says is not healthy for the sustainance of
multi-party democracy in Nigeria.
“The president
further states that security agencies will also be overstretched, as direct
primaries will be open to participation from all and sundry.
“Such large turnout without effective security coordination
will also engender intimidation and disruptions, thereby raising credibility
issues on the outcomes of such election.
“President Buhari also says the proposed amendment might
give rise to a plethora of litigations based on diverse grounds and issues of
law, including but not limited to the fact that the proposed amendment could
not work in retrospect, given that the existing constitution of the parties
already registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
permits direct, indirect and consensus primaries.
“Buhari 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.”
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