Electoral Act: Reps move to override Buhari’s veto over statutory delegates

A member of the House of Representatives, Ben Igbakpa (PDP-Delta), has moved a constitutional point of order, urging the House to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto over delay in signing section 84 (8) of the 2022 Electoral Amendment Act into law.

Igbakpa moved the motion during plenary in Abuja on Wednesday under matter of urgent national importance.

The Electoral Amendment Act was recently amended by both chambers of the National Assembly and was resent by the lawmakers after the amendment of section 84 (8) for the President’s assent.

The section was to allow statutory delegates to participate in political parties’ primaries.

The House of Reps, on May 11, passed Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Amendment Act, 2022 to allow statutory delegates to participate in political parties’ congresses and conventions.

The House amended the clause after considering a Bill sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Abubakar Fulata.

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The current version, which was assented to by the President in February, prevented statutory delegates from taking part in parties’ primaries.

The House while on recess convened an emergency session to amend Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The lawmakers, governors, ministers, the President, among others could not participate during the just concluded parties’ primaries as statutory delegates were not allowed.

This was not unconnected with the President’s refusal to sign the amended 2022 Electoral Act.

The Speaker of the House of Reps, Femi Gbajabiamila, however, asked that the motion should be put on notice.

The Star