PRESSURE from state governors who opposed the introduction of a provision for compulsory adoption of direct primaries by political parties forced Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to decline assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

The leadership of Buhari’s party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), also kicked against the direct primary model of selecting candidates of political parties for elections.

The bill was transmitted by the National Assembly to the president on November 19 and after the 30-day period for assent expired on December 19, Buhari wrote a letter to Senate President Ahmed Lawan explaining the reasons he refused to sign the proposed legislation into law.

The bill contained key provisions that were expected to deepen the credibility of the Nigerian electoral system, particularly the adoption of the direct primary model by political parties and electronic transmission of election results.

However, the state governors, especially the APC Governors Forum led by Kebbi State governor Atiku Bagudu, opposed the introduction of direct primaries and mounted pressure on Buhari to decline assent to the bill.

At a meeting in Abuja on November 9, the APC governors insisted that the Electoral Act should not be concerned with the method through which political party candidates emerged.

Governors wield enormous influence in the selection of candidates through the indirect primary method and the provision that made direct primaries mandatory for political parties was aimed at whittling down the governors’ powers by making the electoral process more transparent.

Most of the political parties also kicked against direct primaries, arguing that it was very expensive.

The parties said they lacked the financial resources to conduct direct primaries, a development that led to suggestions that the government should fund political parties.

The ICIR exclusively reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ruled out government funding for political parties.

In the letter he wrote to the Senate President to explain his reasons for declining assent to the amendment bill, Buhari agreed with the views of the governors and other electoral stakeholders who opposed direct primaries.

The president noted that the direct primary model was too expensive.

He also pointed out that it would be unconstitutional to force political parties to adopt direct primaries as they already had their individual constitutions which stipulated methods of electing candidates for election.

The president in the letter equally observed that making the direct primary method compulsory would alienate the smaller parties.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.icirnigeria.org/how-buhari-bowed-to-pressure-in-declining-assent-to-electoral-bill-for-fifth-time/

The Fire in Lord Lugards room in hell should be increased for creating this Corrupt Infested Contraption called Nigeria

If the national assembly is fully convinced, it can overide the President. Mr Malami was not the one elected by Nigerians.
The INEC Chairman's endorsement is a good sign that it's feasible. The fact that it took a while before the President rejected it confirms that he hesitated against rejecting it.

Tinubu wants to steal presidency. I laugh in Patience OZOKWOR'S voice.
Since he is claiming heavy weight , its going to be put to test.

Governors will never support direct primaries after it was used to humiliate Ambode.

Buhari teaching the bullion van thief Politics 101.

Tunde Fowler was removed as FIRS chairman
Oshiomhole was disgraced out as APC chairman and Buni illegally made chairman and kept till date.
Postponement of APC National convention consistently.
Handing over of Kano APC structure to Shekaru against Governor Ganduje who is being proposed to run with Tinubu
Declining to sign the electoral amendment act because of direct primaries which Tinubu is the originator

This news is not funny oo