Direct Primary: INEC replies to Buhari

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally offered its advice to President Muhammadu Buhari who was consulting far and wife before he would assent to or return the Electoral Act Amendment Bill the National Assembly expect him to sign.

Officials of the commission, who the Daily Trust would not name, said that the INEC chairman has sent his reply to the president through the appropriate channel.

The commission advised Buhari to accept the views of the federal lawmakers as representing the opinions of majority of Nigerians.

The newspaper further claimed the commission also highlighted landmark proposals in the bill that would improve the quality of elections and deepen democracy in Nigeria.

INEC urged Buhari to assent to the bill to enable it prepare early enough for  the FCT municipal area council election, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and the 2023 general elections.

Buhari has until Dec 19 to assent to or reject the bill stirring controversy because of its direct primary clause which the federal lawmakers expect Buhari to assent to.

If the president returns the bill unsigned, the NASS requires a two-thirds majority to veto him and pass the bill into law.