Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina had said President Muhammadu Buhari still has time to decide whether or not to sign the amended Electoral Bill into law.
Responding to claims that the president was reluctant to sign the controversial bill in a statement, Adesina explained that the constitution provides the president with a window of 30 days to scrutinize the bill.
Recall that The News Beam had reported that the National Assembly, had earlier passed the bill, emphasizing that political parties use only a direct mode of primary elections but President Buhari rejected this when it was submitted for assent.
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It should also be recalled that The News Beam reported that the Senators reintroduced and passed the bill after including the indirect mode of conducting primaries – a major reason for the President’s rejection.
This indicates that the direct, indirect, and consensus modes will now be used for the selection of candidates by parties.
The statement reads, “Some interest groups are cashing in on what they consider a delay in the signing of the Electoral Bill into law by the President to foment civil disorder and muddy the waters.
“One can just pity their ignorance of Constitutional requirements, as the President has a window of 30 days within which to sign the Bill, or decline assent after it had been transmitted to him by the National Assembly.
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“A proposed legislation that has to do with the electoral fortunes of the country needs to be thoroughly scrutinized, and be made as near-perfect as possible.
“Those playing cheap politics with it are, therefore, encouraged to hold their peace, knowing that the right thing will be done within the lawful time”, Femi Adesina added.
