Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari presenting the 2022 Budget to the joint session of the National Assembly

Plenary Session: Electoral Amendment Bill takes center stage

Last updated Jan 19, 2022

The Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill takes center stage in the House of Representatives at the plenary today.

According to his statement, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House, the bill is listed in the Order Paper containing lists of major items to be discussed at plenary.

The bill is listed with the title “Recommital of Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021”, in the name of the Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Abubarkar Fulata.

The House notes that the Electoral Act (Amendment) bill was passed by the National Assembly and transmitted to the President for assent but the assent was withheld

In withholding the assent, the President referred to the amendment of section 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010 dealing with the mode of nomination of candidates by political parties.

“Notes that section 87(2) of the electoral act 2010 provides that the procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties elective positions shall be by direct and indirect primaries

“Recall that the national assembly amended section 87 (2) of the electoral act 2010 as clause 84(2) of the electoral act (amendment) bill 2021 to read thus:

“The Procedure for nomination of candidates by political parties for various elective positions shall be by direct primaries.

“Cognizant of the need to allow political parties to choose the procedure for nomination of candidates for elective positions.

“The House resolves to commit section 84(2) of the Electoral Act (Amendment) bill, 2021 to the Committee of the whole for reconsideration in accordance with Order 12, Rule 20 (1-3) of the Standing Order of the House,” the Order Paper stated.

Meanwhile, the House is currently in executive session. Gbajabiamila announced the session after conferring with principal officers on what’s likely not unconnected to the issue.

More details as events unfold.

Source/Tope O.