Electoral Bill: I’m Not Aware Of Plans To Override Buhari’s Veto – Gbajabiamila

Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has said he is not aware of plans by members of the house to override the veto of President Muhammadu Buhari concerning the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

Gbajabiamila said this after meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on Monday told the National Assembly via a letter that he declined assent to the bill because of direct primaries, which was made the mandatory mode of primaries for political parties to adopt.

According to the president, foistering direct primaries would be a violation of the rights of political parties and their members, increase the cost occurred by political parties, lead to security challenges and lead to litigation.

There had been reports that senators were collecting signatures to override the president’s decision.

But reacting, Gbajabiamila said he was unaware of such a development, adding that the matter will be first on the agenda when lawmakers resume sitting in January 2022.

He said: “I’m not aware of any such threats to override the president’s decision; at least not in my chambers. We’re on a break right now. So, the collection of signatures is not something that is done when everybody’s scattered.

“I made it abundantly clear at our last sitting that we will look at the president’s veto and his reasons when we come back on. It’s not something we’re going to do on a knee jerk.

“When we come back from our recess — there’s still ample time — we will decide one way or the other. We will do what is right for the Nigerian people.

“I made it very clear that we’re not going to throw away the baby with the bathwater. The electoral law is what a credible electoral process needs and laws are what are required at this time. Nigerians want it and Nigerians will get it.

“By the time we come back, at least as far as the house and I’m sure the senate as well is concerned, it will be the first thing on our agenda — the very week we come back from recess.”