The Senate has said its members will consult with their constituents and the House of Representatives before deciding the next course of action regarding the unassented Electoral Act Amendment Bill.
Senator Ahmed Lawan, the Senate President, disclosed this after a closed-door meeting of the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday.
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.
It was reported in several media outlets on Tuesday and Wednesday morning that over 70 senators have appended their signature to a document, signalling their desire to override the veto of the president.
But providing the upper legislative chamber’s official position, the Senate President said the consultation with the house will be done in January because the lower legislative chamber has already proceeded on recess.
He said: “In a closed session, the Senate deliberated on matters relevant to the workings of the Senate in particular and the national assembly in general.
“The Senate, also in the closed session, discussed how to respond to the letter by Mr President on the electoral bill amendment.
“The Senate consequently resolved to consult with the House of Representatives in January, both the Senate and the house will be in session.
“Presently the House of Representatives has gone on recess and we all know the constitutional provision to jointly take the appropriate action. The Senate also resolved to consult with our constituents.”
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