Amended Electoral Act: PDP chieftain asks Buhari to retain Section 84(12)

A People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari not to expunge Section 84 (12) of the newly-amended Electoral Act Bill.

Recall that Buhari had, after signing the amended Electoral Act bill on Friday, suggested to the National Assembly that the section should be removed.

The section states thus; “No political appointee at any level shall be voting delegate or be voted for at the Convention or Congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

President Buhari had said the portion should be deleted because it would disenfranchise some eligible Nigerians.

According to the president, if Section 84(12) is signed into law, will subject serving political office holders to inhibitions and restrictions referred to under section 40 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Onuesoke, in a statement made available on Thursday, therefore, appealed to Buhari to withdraw his decision to delete the clause.

The former governorship aspirant of PDP noted that if political office holders or other categories of appointees resigned before partaking in electoral activities, it would give a level-playing ground for all.

He observed that resigning their appointments would prevent unnecessary distractions, side influence and help such appointees focus on their ambitions.

“To me, an appointee should not remain in office and allowed to use his office to influence his political ambitions or those of his benefactors.

“This will be undue advantage over other contestants. It’s akin to eating your cake while still having it.

“Besides, how can an appointee effectively carry out his official duties while campaigning for election at the same time?

“Section 84 (12) of the Amended Electoral Act Bill should be left intact for future government to “amend” if tested and found to be a cheating to government officials,”