JUST IN: I won’t Take Decision on Amended Electoral Bill until March 1 – Buhari
POLITICS DIGEST- President Muhammadu Buhari has said contrary to popular views that he has until Monday (today) to sign or decline assent to the amended Electoral Bill, he actually has until March 1 to do so, since it was passed to him by the National Assembly on January 31, 2022.
The President in a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, condemned the misinformation being thrown out by some people he called entrenched interests who are seeking pecuniary gains from the situation.
He argued that a bill that seeks to fix what is broken in Nigeria’s electoral process must be thoroughly vetted before it is passed, adding that the President won’t be pressured into signing what is not in the best interest of Nigerians.
The statement read in full:
Read Also:
Some interest groups are cashing in on what they consider a delay in the signing of the Electoral Bill into law by the President to foment civil disorder and muddy the waters.
One can just pity their ignorance of Constitutional requirements, as the President has a window of 30 days within which to sign the Bill, or decline assent, after it had been transmitted to him by the National Assembly.
It is on record that the amended Bill was sent to the Presidency on January 31, 2022, which means that the Executive could do due diligence on it till March 1, as prescribed by the Constitution.
A proposed legislation that has to do with the electoral fortunes of the country needs to be thoroughly scrutinized, and be made as near-perfect as possible.
Those playing cheap politics with it are, therefore, encouraged to hold their peace, knowing that the right thing will be done within the lawful time.”
 to sign or decline){kind=link}