Anglican Bishop urges NASS members to veto Buhari, pass Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law

The Bishop of the Anglican Communion, Kaduna Diocese, Timothy Yahaya, on Saturday urged member of the National Assembly to veto President Muhammadu Buhari and pass the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into Law, after the President had declined assent.

Bishop Timothy Yahaya, after the Christmas service at the Cathedral of St. Micheal, Kaduna, cautioned the federal lawmakers to always remember that they owe Nigerians a duty to promote national interest, and also be conscious of what legacy they leave at the end of 2023 on matters of free, fair and credible elections in the country.

The Anglican Bishop noted that the body language of President Buhari has shown his unwillingness to sign the bill.

Bishop Yahaya warned that federal legislators that passing the electoral act amendment bill into law will correct the wrong impression Nigerians have about the National Assembly being a ‘rubber stamp’ parliament.

The electoral act amendment bill has been generating series of controversies in the legal efforts to improve the electoral process on Nigeria. From the electronic transmission of elections results by the INEC to the current issue of direct primaries by political parties, the electoral act amendment bill has been dragging on for years, being rejected five times by President Buhari.

Meanwhile, while Senate considered the rejected bill before the Christmas and new Year break, the House of Representatives abandoned the controversial legislation and hurriedly proceeded on end of the year vacation. This kept the Senate waiting for the resolution of the House which resumes in January 2022.