The chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Sen Kabiru Gaya said the inclusion of direct primary in the electoral act was to take democracy to the grassroots.
“They are working hard to persuade the president not to sign the bill because of some other grey areas which have been contentious issues before. But we await the president’s decision within one month,” a source which is aware of what is happening said. “The president should, without further delay, assent to the electoral bill transmitted to him by the National Assembly on Friday. The clock started ticking from the day the bill was transferred to him. He has 30 days as prescribed by the law.
“And let’s not disregard the fact that Nigerians demanded this reform and the president should not stand in the way, and let no any individual, regardless of political party or affiliation, stand in the way of Nigerians to participate in an election that is conducted with a legal framework that should ensure the integrity of our electoral process and strengthen democratic institutions for us to deliver electoral justice to the people,” Itodo added.
“Anybody that is against this bill at this time is not for Nigeria; he is not for democracy. So, the president should sign the bill,” Idayat said. “Notwithstanding the lobbying against this bill from those who do not wish Nigeria’s democracy well, we are hoping that despite the campaigns, despite the lobbying from powerful individuals that undermine the direct primaries and electronic transmission of election results, we are hoping that the president will remember how he had tried to fight electoral fraud in the past. Let him help democracy to grow by allowing popular demand.
“Direct primaries afford all party members the opportunity to participate in the process of selecting party candidates for elective offices. That way, party members would own the processes and the candidates. “That is why we urge the president to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill of 2021 for effect and performance. More so, that the Bill has been passed in accordance with democratic practices which thrive on the majority that has both its say and way, while the minority only has its say,” Sani added.
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