The civil society groups on electoral reforms have faulted the response of President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly on the reasons why he failed to sign the electoral amendment act 2010 after 30 days of receiving it from the federal lawmakers.
Speaking to ait.live in Abuja after members of The Civil Society Organizations failed to turn up for the planned protest to occupy the National Assembly and persuade the Legislators to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to sign the electoral amendment bill, one of the co-conveners who was on the ground, Ariyo Dare-Atoyebi said his reasons for not signing the bill is unacceptable.
The group gave the National Assembly a 24-hour ultimatum to override the president’s veto on the bill in passing it into law as members of the CSOs vow to mobilize more people in occupying the lawmaking body’s entrance until their demands are met.
Some members of the groups who failed to turn up for the protest told ait that they have lost confidence in the leadership of the APC led-government but will ensure that they engage more Nigerians to join in the next planned protest on the electoral amendment act if the federal lawmakers continue to drag feet to override the president.
Also read: Electoral Act Amendment Bill: House says they’ll rework bill
In the letter, President Muhammadu Buhari said the marginalization of small political parties, high cost of conducting direct primaries, the security challenge of monitoring the election, and the violation of citizens’ rights are part of the reasons he withheld his assent to the bill.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
