Electoral bill: Senate fails to override Buhari’s veto

The Senate failed to override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto on the 2010 Electoral Act (Amendments) Bill 2021 on Wednesday.

After a 40-minute closed session, the red chamber reached a decision.

After the executive session, Senate President Ahmed Lawan explained that the upper chamber had decided to consult with members of the House of Representatives on the matter.

Since the House had gone on recess and the constitution requires both chambers to make a joint decision on the matter, he said it would be appropriate to wait until January to take action.

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In a closed session, the Senate agreed that members should consult with their constituents, who are key stakeholders in the electoral process, according to Lawan.

“The Senate discussed the best way to respond to Mr. President’s letter on the Electoral Act (Amendment) bill,” he said.

“As a result, the Senate decided to meet with the House of Representatives in January, when both chambers will be in session.”

The Senate adjourned plenary yesterday until today in order to override the President’s veto of the 2010 Electoral Act (Amendments) Bill 2021.

‘Withholding of assent to Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021,’ Buhari wrote to the National Assembly on December 13, 2021. Electoral Act Amendment Bill, citing economic, security, and legal concerns, received his veto.

While criticizing the proposed amendment to Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2010, Buhari stated that the proposed amendment violated the underlying spirit of democracy, which is defined by freedom of choice.

The amendment, according to the president, would also suffocate smaller parties that lacked the massive resources needed to mobilize all of their members for the primaries.

This, he said, was not good for Nigeria’s multi-party democracy’s survival.

The House of Representatives adjourned yesterday after passing the budget for 2022.