2023: Why Buhari Should Sign Electoral Act Amendment Bill – Northern Elders

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law in order to consolidate the achievements recorded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Naija News recalls 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.

In a communique released at the end of its meeting at the Arewa House, Kaduna, on Saturday, the NEF stated that the signing of the electoral bill into law will improve the quality of the 2023 elections.

The forum, led by Prof Ango Abdullahi, also demanded that the scheduled 2022 national census be shifted due to the high number of displaced Nigerians and its closeness to the 2023 general elections.

Meanwhile, Media mogul and Presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has denied backing Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

Reports had emerged on Friday, Naija News gathered, claiming the Ovation magazine publisher had endorsed the presidential ambition of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reacting in a statement on Saturday, Dele Momodu slammed individuals handling Tinubu’s publicity, accusing them of being cheap, unimaginative and jejune in their campaigns.

According to the socialite, the article in circulation which Tinubu media handlers are claiming is an endorsement was written two years ago.

He accused these individuals of being too desperate to sell the former Lagos State governor as the only candidate of APC in 2023.