Lawyers and other stakeholders have pleaded to President Muhammadu Buhari to do the right thing and sign the Electoral Act as passed by the National Assembly.
Director-General of the Ekiti State Culture and Tourism Board, Ambassador Wale Ojo-Lanre, noted that President Buhari would be doing Nigeria’s electoral system a great favour by signing the bill into law.
“The President has blazed many trails in governance in this country. Should he sign this bill, he will be adding another feather to his political cap. He has the opportunity to write his name in gold because of the importance of this particular bill to democracy and governance,” said Mr Ojo-Lanre.
Justina Achegbo, a human rights advocate, also said the bill would greatly affect the progress of the country’s democracy.
“This amendment is a right in itself to voters fundamental human right of having their votes count; hence the president has to protect their rights by assenting the bill,” Ms Achegbo said.
“President Buhari should show a high sense of responsibility by signing the bill. Not only to sign the bill, but the president should do so in good time.
“This is to forestall unnecessary apprehension because delay in doing so may raise tension and create agitation among Nigerians.”
Speaking in a similar vein, a lawyer and public affairs analyst, Paschal Njoku, said, “I know that many governors, especially of the All Progressives Congress, are not happy with the direct primaries imposed on political parties, and I believe the president will likely be on the same side with them, but that is not a reason for him not to assent to it.
“Many democracies of the world, like the United States of America, go by direct primary; so there may actually be nothing wrong with it, but even with his opposition, he can assent to it and then seek amendments later. We need to move forward.”
