Buhari writes NASS, gives reasons for withholding assent to Electoral Amendment Bill

President Muhammadu Buhari has withheld his assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021.

In a letter to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, obtained by our correspondent, the President explained that the prevailing situation in the country would not allow him to sign the bill.

Buhari also cited the high cost of conducting direct primaries, the security challenge of monitoring the election, violation of citizens’ rights and marginalisation of small political parties among other reasons for rejecting the bill.

He said he had received informed advice from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Government, and had also carefully reviewed the Bill in light of the current realities prevalent in the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the circumstances.

Buhari, therefore, said that it would be better to allow each political party to determine its mode of selecting candidates for election.