Electoral Act: Buhari will Sign the Bill any Moment from Now-Adesina

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has said It is just a matter of hours for President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

He disclosed this on Tuesday during his appearance on Channels Television Sunrise Daily.

According to him, “He (Buhari) will sign it (the bill) any moment from now,” he said while appearing as a guest breakfast program. “It could be today, it could be tomorrow, it could be anytime, but within the 30 days.

“It could be signed today; it could be signed tomorrow. In a matter of hours, not days. Hours could be 24 hours, and it could be 48 hours; not days, not weeks.”

Recall that the national assembly had reworked the bill as requested by the President and transmitted it appropriately on January 25. The  Senior Special Assistant on NASS Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare, confirmed this.

However, after receiving the bill, the President is yet to assent. There have been several calls for him to sign the bill, but all actions have been abortive.

 Meanwhile, Adesina, while defending the president, blasted those accusing him of delaying the signing of the bill. He stressed that his principal’s action was still within the requirements of the Constitution.

He stressed that it would only be appropriate to say the President has acted against the law if it exceeds the 30-day window that the Constitution states. 

“You know before the President will put pen to paper on any legislation, particularly this one that has to do with our electoral fortunes, it has to be looked at and looked at.

“He has to buy opinions from different stakeholders and having been satisfied that the necessary due diligence had been done and he will not be making any error, then he will sign it, and I tell you that Nigerians will get to hear about this bill in hours,” Adesina said.

Meanwhile, civil society organizations under the umbrella of the Situation Room have today stormed the Unity Fountain in Abuja in a protest.

The protesters carried various placards demanding President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.