The obvious reason for his rejection of the electoral bill is adduced to be the inclusion of the compulsory direct primary elections which compels our Electoral Body, INEC, to conduct for all political parties across the country. If this was the concern of the president, does it make sense to throw away bathwater with the baby inside?
Before the 2015 general election that brought President Muhammadu Buhari into office, the Major General had contested the presidential post in three consecutive years without success. In the year 2015 which ambitious and unrelenting Muhammadu Buhari won the presidential race, there were some electoral reforms that were passed the the National Assembly and signed by the then President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. During his early years in office, President Buhari admitted that he was one of the beneficiaries of electoral reforms and declared to Nigerians that he would do everything in his power to give Nigerians credible and transparent electoral system that will devoid electoral malpractice. This was his words. Made publicly. Yet, two terms in office and less than two years to leave the office, Mr President has not taken any pragmatic steps to match his words with action. Rather, our electoral system, as of today, still wallops in shambles within his capacity.
In 2019, when the amendment bill on electoral act was brought to Mr President, it was immediately rejected by him based on the justification that 2019 general election was too close for any electoral amendment. Not relentlessly, the current 9th National Assembly sent another New Amendment Bill to the President for assent, after 30 days of the stipulated period for the president to make decision, President Buhari also rejected the Bill pointing out to legal, security and financial reasons for his rejection.
Expectedly, his refusal to sign the bill has generated furore in public space. Media houses, Civil Social Groups, human rights’ lawyers, activists and concerned citizens have expressed their disappointment and condemned the action of Mr President. To some individuals,they said they were not even shocked by the President’s rejection because his action has rather confirmed their earlier prediction. The one question critically begging for urgent answer is; does Nigeria President really wants electoral reforms as he had promised?
Perhaps, two times chances for him to do so have been futile. In 2019, it was assumed that maybe because the President, who was desperately seeking second term in office, was being careful not to lost the general election; that made him not to append his signature on the amendment bill. But, the narrative now is different. Aside that Nigerian Constitution does not permit third term, the President himself has reiterated that come 2023, he will be heading and retiring to his home town in Daura. Beyond that, Nigerians are concerned why President Buhari will be leaving Aso Rock Villa without leaving behind sustainable and credible electoral system despite that he has no business in 2023 elections.
The fact is that President Buhari is being hypocrite only justifying his actions with frivolous excuses. First, his administration has not only been accused of high level of nepotism, tribalism, corruption, falsehood, dehumanization and disregard to rule of law and courts’ rulings, but also been tagged as incompetent, clueless, and unfaithful administration. Since the inception of his government, the country’s economy has never abated of impoverishment, our national security has never been maintained, and even the future of we, the youths, has not be safeguarded in their hands. Despite his assurances and promises in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari scorecard has been failures all through.
Back to the Electoral Bill, everyone knows, including the president that our current electoral system does not give room to transparency and is also capable of malpractice and misconducts either by electoral officials or power monger politicians . This alone is capable of undermining the credibility of our electoral process. As incoming statesman, President Muhammadu Buhari should know this is the period for him to reconstruct his tarnishing legacy.
The obvious reason for his rejection of the electoral bill is adduced to be the inclusion of the compulsory direct primary elections which compels our Electoral Body, INEC, to conduct for all political parties across the country. If this was the concern of the president, does it make sense to throw away bathwater with the baby inside? Should we, because of one section of the bill, send the whole document into garbage can? Should we let the concerted efforts of our legislators whose sleepless nights and restless days for the execution of the bill go unproductive? Should a person’s or party’s opinion override the public decision? The answer to these questions should be ultimate and emphatic NO!
If the National Assembly which has alternative power to make the bill a law, wants to redeem itself from public label of being a rubber stamp legislature, it must do everything in its constitutional power, put its house in order to ensure full implementation of the New Electoral Amendment Bill. And again, if this administration truly wants to reinstate their integrity to the people of Nigeria, the 2021 Electoral Amendment Bill must be effective and be used in the forthcoming general election even if by expunging the direct primaries for political parties from the Bill.
Damilare Adeleye
