Buhari, in a letter to the National Assemblyon Thursday, December 6, 2018, declined assent to the bill.
![Edo Assembly Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku [Leadership News]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Edo Assembly Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku [Leadership News]")
Among other reasons, the President said: "I am declining assent to the Bill principally because I am concerned that passing a new electoral bill this far into the electoral process for the 2019 general election which commenced under the 2015 Electoral Act, could create some uncertainty about the applicable legislation to govern the process.”
Missed opportunity
In a statement on Twitter, the PDP presidential candidate said Buhari’s refusal to sign the electoral bill into law shows his assurances for a free and fair election cannot be taken seriously.
“Mr President, assurances that your administration will conduct a free, fair and credible elections can not be taken seriously. For Nigerians and especially us in the opposition, you just missed an opportunity to walk the talk.”
ECOWAS protocol bars Buhari
Also, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege in his reaction, said that the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance forbids the President from signing the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill.
The lawmaker said Article 2 of the protocol forbids member countries from making “substantial modification” to their electoral laws less than six months to elections “except with the consent of a majority of political actors”.
Senate President Bukola Sarakihad earlier called on Buhari to sign the Electoral Bill into law.
Saraki also told Buhari not to listen to those who he described as un-democratic elements urging him not to assent to the bill.
According to reports, this is the fourth time the President is refusing to sign the electoral bill into law.
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