President Muhammadu Buhari has for the fourth time, declined assent to the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment Bill and has returned it to the National Assembly.
The development was made known on Friday, by the Legislative aide to the President (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, but did not disclose to State House Correspondents the reason(s) for the decision, stating that was all the law permitted him to say(by convention).
“President Muhammadu Buhari has taken decision on Electoral Act Amendment bill 2018. In accordance with his power under the 1999 Constitution and has communicated that decision to the Senate and House of Representatives in accordance with the law,” he said
“By convention that decision contained in the communication can only be revealed by the person to whom that decision is addressed to. But the electoral bill has left Mr. President because he has taken a decision and has remitted it back,” he added when pressed with questions to be categorical whether the Electoral Act Amendment Bill was assented to or rejected.
Speaking further, when asked of the implication of the latest decision on the 2019 elections, Enang said, “The implication of the decision is that the president has taken action on the bill within the time allowed by law.”
The President had on three occassions withheld his assent to the bill and returned it to the National Assembly, the last of which he explained was due to errors discovered in the document.
Temidayo Taiwo-Sidiq is a Journalist, Political Analyst and Satirist with major interest in Nigerian Politics, Governance and Sports.
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