Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, is optimistic that the 9th National Assembly will act in the best interests of the country’s democracy.
Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, he announced this in anticipation of the legislature’s decision.
“Let’s not forget that this National Assembly, in particular, is made up of over 70, almost 80% APC members, and you don’t have a party kicking against itself.”
“This isn’t like the last National Assembly, when the opposition came from within the party. No, this is a more responsive and accountable National Assembly that will act in the best interests of our democracy.”
“They’ll do what’s best for the party, and they’ll also do what’s best for the country.” While speaking to Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Adesina asserted.
President Buhari cited the cost of hosting direct primary elections, security concerns, and the possibility of political actors manipulating voting processes as reasons for his decision not to sign the law.
While members of the House of Representatives were unable to act immediately, they stated that they will appropriately handle the issue in January of the next year.
Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, explained that the time was short to address such a sensitive issue and the lawmakers had to pass other important bills, including the 2022 Appropriation Bill and the Finance Bill.
At the upper chamber, the Senate resolved to consult with the House of Representatives in January when both chambers would be in session.
Ahead of the resumption of plenary, Adesina said the lawmakers have a right to override the President’s veto, but they would determine if such was necessary at this time.
“Well, overcoming a veto is a feature of democracy, but is it necessary to do so now? That is the issue,” he stated.
“The APC will use its majority in the National Assembly to decide whether it is necessary to override the President.
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Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
