Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said the National Assembly will revisit the Electoral Act amended bill and might remove the direct primaries clause prior to it resumption.
The Speaker made this known on Thursday, during the commissioning of some projects including the Obele mini stadium, Dosunmu road, Adedoyin road, Ojikutu, Ishola road by randle, Rasaq Balogun mini stadium and the Razaq Balogun road, Adeniran Ogunsanya in Surulere, Lagos.
He said the President withheld his assent of the bill based on advice, but insisted that the direct primaries clause was meant to ensure Nigerians participated in the electoral process.
“If you follow the history of the amendment of the direct and indirect primary bill, I initiated that amendment bill for a good reason and it is for people to participate in elections. These are the people you see around when you campaign every four years: come rain, come shine.
“For me, it does not make sense that these people do not have a voice in who represents them. It is part of being used and I didn’t like that.
The Speaker, however, said President Buhari’s rejection of the bill was with good intentions and based on the advise he was given.
“There is a process. When we come back, as I said, the House will look at those amendments. We will sit as the National Assembly, look at the reasons and at that point, consider removing that clause and pass the bill so that we do not do away with the baby and the bath water.
He further stated that the decision is not left alone to make, saying it will be unanimously examined by the House and further meet at the National Assembly to critically look at the reasons and further considering removing the clause and pass the bill.
“But then, it is not my decision to make. It is the decision of the National Assembly, if they determine that the reasons are not good enough, then, there is a process prescribed by the constitution”, Gbajabiamila said.
When asked whether the National Assembly may veto the bill, he said: “Which way the sword is going to fall, I have no idea until that time. I cannot read the minds of the whole National Assembly members.
He further reminded that the National Assembly need 2/3 of it members to override the President, hinting that it might be difficult to easily override veto.
Recall that the President had some days ago rejected the Electoral Amendment Bill sent to him by the National Assembly, saying it was rejected to protect Nigerians from grave consequences.
According to the presidency, the proposed amendments “entail significant legal, financial, economic and security consequences”.