Why Buhari didn’t sign electoral bill – Malami

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on Sunday, explained why President Muhammadu Buhari did not sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

The President had last Monday informed the National Assembly about his decision to withhold assent to the electoral bill, citing several reasons including the adoption of direct primaries for political parties by the lawmakers.

Some Senators later moved to override the President’s decision but later shelved the decision to give room for more consultation with members of the House of Representatives on the matter.

Malami, who featured in a radio programme in Kano, said the document was discriminatory and would not take care of Nigerians’ interests.

He added that the financial burden in the new electoral bill was another major reason the President did not sign it.

The AGF said: “The Electoral Act Amendment Bill is discriminatory, signing it into law will swell up ligitations.

“What you should understand about the leadership of the country most especially as it regards President Muhammadu Buhari on any law presented to him for signing, the President is entitled to certain rights.

“When you talk about politics he has rights, if you talk about the economy, the business community also has rights on him, if you are talking about 60 percent of Nigerians that are not politicians, if you talk about the economy he also has rights.

“ If you are talking about security, there is also what is expected from him. The President has to consider laws that are sustainable.

“The job of the President is that of politics, economy, business, security, legislation, politicians and non-politicians.

“This is because the leadership of the country is not for the politicians alone, it is a leadership that affects the social life of the people, their religion, economy, security, and others. This is contrary to the leadership of the legislators which is solely political.

“Therefore, the lawmakers are only concerned about their political inclination while the President is concerned about the entire lives of Nigerians made up of politicians and non-politicians.

“Any bill signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari is in the interest of all Nigerians irrespective of their inclinations.

READ ALSO: Arewa Youths challenge Buhari to sign Electoral Act Amendment Bill

“He is after satisfying the interest of the over 200 million Nigerians he is serving and not a particular sector.

“For example, one of the reasons is that there are 18 political parties and law is founded that will allow for direct primaries.

“The difference between this and the general election is small because it allows for all Nigerians to come about and say their opinions.

“This means that you will repeat the general elections 18 times. Today the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) requires N305 billion for the 2023 general elections. Now if the general election, which is not the newly proposed electoral system, will cost this much, how much will it cost to do the same election in the All Progressives Congress (APC)? It might cost at least N200 billion because it will involve everyone.

“Although the good side of the law is that INEC is required to monitor it. Therefore, if it is assumed that every political party will spend N200 billion, how much will then be spent in conducting the same primary election in 18 political parties just to produce a qualified candidate?”

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