President Muhammadu Buhari’s proposal to modify section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, which forbids appointive political office holders from contesting elections at the party primary level without quitting, was rejected by the Senate.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC Kebbi North), the Senate Leader, led the debate on the bill’s second reading on Wednesday, and the request was denied.
When put to voice votes by Senate President Ahmad Lawan, the Senators kicked against it and voted no.
President Buhari wrote to the Senate last Monday, requesting that section 84 (2) subsection 12 of the 2021 Electoral Act be amended.
Specifically, President Buhari asked the National Assembly to amend section 84 (2) Subsection 12 which states that no political appointee shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of any candidate for an election.
In the letter, he said the amendment is necessary as the clause constitutes a fundamental defect and leads to the disenfranchisement of political officeholders.
President Buhari February 25 signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law. During the signing, he faulted Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022.