The presidency has assured Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari would do the right thing on the electoral bill.
The President’s Spokesperson, Femi Adesina gave the assurance on Monday in a statement.
TheFact Nigeria gathered that the assurance is coming following protest threats by some Civil Society groups over the delay in assenting to the bill.
President Buhari had among other reasons withheld assent to the Electoral Bill 2021 transmitted to him on 19th November 2021 to enable each political party determine its mode of selecting candidates for election through options of direct, indirect, and consensus.
The bill was later amended by the National Assembly and retransmitted to the President for assent.
However, the presidential spokesman, said Buhari has till March 1 to make a decision on the bill.
“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,” the statement reads.
“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.
“It is on record that the amended Bill was sent to the Presidency on January 31, 2022, which means that the Executive could do due diligence on it till March 1, as prescribed by the Constitution.
“A proposed legislation that has to do with the electoral fortunes of the country needs to be thoroughly scrutinised, 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.”
