Electoral Bill: NASS Not Planning To Override Buhari’s Decision – Gbajabiamila

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has denied a plan by members of the National Assembly to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

Naija News had reported that President Buhari failed to sign the bill into law due to the compulsory use of direct primary to pick candidates.

In a letter sent to the National Assembly, Buhari said assenting to the bill may open up the electoral system to a series of litigations from party members and stakeholders.

He stated that the adoption of direct primaries violates the spirit of democracy and would fuel corruption as well as encourage the monetization of elections.

Following the President’s decision, Senators and House of Rep members were alleged to have collected signatures to override the president’s decision.

But in an interview with reporters after meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday, Gbajabiamila said there was no plan to veto the president on the bill.

The Speaker reiterated that members of the assembly will decide on the next line of action after the Christmas and New Year break in January 2022.

He said: “I’m not aware of any such threats to override the president’s decision; at least not in my chambers. We’re on a break right now. So, the collection of signatures is not something that is done when everybody’s scattered.

“I made it abundantly clear at our last sitting that we will look at the president’s veto and his reasons when we come back on. It’s not something we’re going to do on a knee jerk.

“When we come back from our recess — there’s still ample time — we will decide one way or the other. We will do what is right for the Nigerian people.

“I made it very clear that we’re not going to throw away the baby with the bathwater. The electoral law is what a credible electoral process needs and laws are what are required at this time. Nigerians want it and Nigerians will get it.

“By the time we come back, at least as far as the house and I’m sure the senate as well is concerned, it will be the first thing on our agenda — the very week we come back from recess.”