In a last-minute push for the signing of the Amended Electoral Bill, 2021, Coalition of Civil Society Partners on Electoral Reform, on Thursday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to disappoint Nigerians and the International community.
The CSOs who gave the charge via a statement signed by the Executive Director, Adopt A Goal for Development Initiative, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, Maryam Ahmed of Centre for Liberty, Jude Feranmi of Raising New Voices, Ken Eze of Speak Out Africa Initiative and Simi Olusola of The Nigerian Alliance, however, noted that President “Buhari’s legacy is at stake” if he fails to sign the bill into law at the expiration of the 30 days provided by the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Section 58(4) provides that: “Where a bill is presented to the President for assent, he shall within thirty days thereof signify that he assents or that he withholds assent” while Section 58(5) states that: “Where the President withholds his assent and the bill is again passed by each House by two-thirds majority, the bill shall become law and the assent of the President shall not be required.”
The Coalition also urged the President to demonstrate courage and put an end to the suspense created by the delay in signing the bill, even as Nigerians await his decision.
The CSOs said: “if the reports that the President will be travelling outside the country are true, Mr President should immediately give his assent to the bill to avoid the endless apprehension.
“The electoral legacy of President Buhari is at stake with this bill because all democratic and electoral institutions, the people and international partners on elections have invested their trust in it.
“We urge Mr President not to disappoint Nigerians, our foreign partners and the comity of democratic nations; we urge him to show courage, commitment and rise above partisanship to give assent to the bill.
“Our appeal to President Buhari is to end the suspense and the apprehension by signing this important bill In a matter of hours and before December 19.
Meanwhile, the civil partners have said that the controversy over the mode of primaries is inconsequential and should not stop the President from signing the bill.
They said an argument over a Phantom 500 billion cost has been debunked, while the concern over lack of a standard register for party members is not an issue.
“To conduct indirect primaries, there must be at least two direct primaries to elect ward executives and ad-hoc delegates.
“In essence, the argument that these parties do not have a standard register to meet up the demand of direct primaries is weak and inconsequential,” the statement added.
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