The Presidency has justified President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021.

The issue has generated wide reactions in the polity, especially as the 2023 elections draw close.

In a statement on Tuesday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the components of the Bill were not good for Nigeria at this time.

The Presidential aide stated that it is not true that the amended Electoral Bill was meant to enhance and build upon on democratic processes.

“The President’s decision to withhold assent from the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021 has come under scrutiny from media and political circles. This is quite correct because it is a decision that will impact all Nigerians. The President’s Office has decided therefore to issue an official statement to make its position clear.

“Nigeria’s strength as a nation and its status as one of the wealthiest economies in Africa with one of its highest standards of living owes above all to its proud democratic processes, which are enshrined in the Electoral Act of 2010.

“It is this act which the new bill seeks to amend. These amendments have been presented as a means to enhance and build upon our democratic processes. After careful review, the President’s Office has found that the opposite is true.

“Rather, the proposed amendments entail significant legal, financial, economic and security consequences for all Nigerians, principal among which would be a severe spike in the cost of holding primary elections by parties – integral to democracies the world over.

“And who would shoulder these costs? The Nigerian taxpayers of course. And who would benefit? Only the richest of political parties. At a time when the nation is seeking to extricate itself from the economic mire of the worst global health crisis in living memory, whatever other merits the new bill may have, now is not the time for such frivolous spending of public money.

“Inevitably, the usual voices are making themselves heard, with cynical claims of election rigging and so on. This is nothing new. We heard their self-serving cries of fraud in 2015, when we saw the first peaceful transfer of power in independent Nigeria’s history. Then again in 2019, when President Buhari was re-elected with a lead of over three million. We will hear them again in 2023.

“Until then, the President will do whatever he can to protect this country’s democracy, and that includes withholding assent from this Bill. It is worth noting that, as one of Nigeria’s largest political parties, the ruling APC is one of those that stand to benefit from a bill that favours wealthier parties. But it is not the job of this government to protect the APC. It is the job of this government to protect Nigeria, her people and her democracy.

“To those that would rather that limited public funds be spent on politicking during this time of global crisis, we say: cease these cynical games. Tell the Nigerian people openly what you want. Put your – or rather their – money where your mouth is.”

BigSarah:
Has the presidency ever done what's good for nigeria

BeeBeeOoh:


Even if they've not done enough for Nigerians, at least bettered the lives of Nigerians by making life unbearable for Nigerians

Sai baba 4+4+4

minks:
Funny how wicked politicians always hide under the pretext of the greater good to perpetrate there evil agenda.
A thieving Nigerian politician will tell you he's stealing for the good of Nigerians.

BeeBeeOoh:

Nigeria’s strength as a nation and its status as one of the wealthiest economies in Africa with one of its highest standards of living owes above all to its proud democratic processes, which are enshrined in the Electoral Act of 2010.

favor914:
What has your State or Governor some to make your life more blissful in Nigeria?

Or have you forgotten that we have 3 tiers of Government Federal, State & Local Government in Nigeria

JavaScript9091:

This man is just a basket of lies. This administration is a curse to nigerians

Penguin2:


Did you ask this question when GEJ was in power?

Or there wasn’t 3 tiers of government then?

favor914:
Always asked, I understand the democrazy we practice in our country, unlike the general masses in Nigeria, Which you just so happen to be amongst that are ignorant to The LFN, & choose to assume? When, it is all about the states.

Until the masses learn to hold their states accountable, Nigeria as a Nation will never move forward @ the pace that it is meant to.

Same way you blamed Jonathan, President Buhari has come, you are still looking for a scapegoat to blame?

If I asked you what you or your state produces which adds to Nigeria’s GDP you wouldn’t be able to mention any? You want to benefit, but don’t want to contribute?

Nigeria’s strength as a nation and its status as one of the wealthiest economies in Africa with one of its highest standards of living owes above all to its proud democratic processes, which are enshrined in the Electoral Act of 2010

BeeBeeOoh:


Even if they've not done enough for Nigerians, at least bettered the lives of Nigerians by making life unbearable for Nigerians

Sai baba 4+4+4