Ekeremadu Reacts As President Buhari Signs Electoral Bill

Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the much-anticipated Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.

Naija News had earlier reported that President Buhari assent to the bill on Friday after several calls from civil society organizations.

The signing ceremony of the electoral bill took place inside the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja at about 12:30 pm.

Some of the government officials that witnessed the signing include the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Mahmood Yakubu; President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajbiamila, among others.

In a post on his verified Facebook page, Ekweremadu said the new electoral act will strengthen the country’s electoral system and advance the nation’s democracy.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain stated that the new law would make more Nigerians be encouraged to vote and to believe in the electoral process.

Ekwermadu added that despite the challenges that confronted the act, major achievements such as the electronic transmission of election results, early primary elections, and adequate time for INEC to prepare for elections were achieved.

He said, “After the major electoral reform of 2010 that also involved amendments to the 1999 Constitution to, among others, open the doors to technology in our electoral system, check some executive excesses, manipulations by political parties, and strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through financial and administrative autonomy, our expectation after amendments to the Electoral Act in 2015 was that the new administration would support the National Assembly to further straighten our electoral laws and system.

“Unfortunately, four times, the amendments were turned down in the 8th National Assembly, apparently thwarted by narrow, partisan interests and ambitions.

“The efforts in the current National Assembly also faced similar challenges, but it is heart-warming that it has finally materialised with the presidential assent.

“Certainly, we didn’t get all we pushed for in the new law, but it is nevertheless a quantum leap for our electoral system and I congratulate all, who played a part in it, notably the civil society, media, and all Nigerians, who stood up for the nation’s democracy.

“With the electronic transmission of election results, early primary elections, and adequate time for INEC to prepare for elections, among other breakthroughs, our elections will never be the same again and more Nigerians will be encouraged to exercise their franchise, knowing that their votes will count.”