ln a blast of anger, Senate throws out Buhari’s bill to amend week-old 2022 Electoral Act

Per Second NewsMarch 9, 20221 Mins read1.2k

In a rare display of pluck and grit, Nigeria’s Upper legislative chamber, the Senate on Wednesday rose to the occasion and rejected a bill from President Muhammadu Buhari seeking to amend the week-old 2022 Electoral Act assented to by him.

Persecondnews.com reports that Buhari, who left Abuja for a two-week medical vacation in London on Sunday, had written to the National Assembly to amend Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act for the third time.

Section 84 (12) makes it mandatory for political office holders contesting election from the party primary level to resign their appointments.The bill had earlier scaled the first reading on Tuesday in spite of a court order restraining the Senate from considering Buhari’s request to amend the law.

In a twist, the request was rejected after Senator Yahaya Abdullahi led the debate for the second reading of the bill on Wednesday.

Boxed to a corner, Senate President Ahmad Lawan had put it to voice votes and the Senators voted their conscience by throwing it out through an overwhelming “Nay”.