Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, has claimed that the Electoral Bill might be signed by Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) in a matter of hours.
In an interview on Tuesday, he stated this. He said, “He (Buhari) would sign it (the bill) any minute now.”
“It could happen today, tomorrow, or at any time within the next 30 days.”
“It might be signed now, tomorrow, or next week.” It just took a few hours, not days. Hours could be 24, 48, or even 72 hours; days and weeks are not possible.”
On Monday, Adesina warned against cheap politics in response to the President’s alleged delay in signing the Electoral Bill.
In a statement headed “Assent To Electoral Bill: No Need For Saber Ratling,” Adesina said that some interest groups are exploiting the perceived delay to incite public unrest.
This is because he stated that the President still has time to give his approval to the Bill, which he stated must be properly scrutinized and made as close to faultless as possible.
Adesina said, “Some interest groups are cashing in on what they consider a delay in the signing of the Electoral Bill into law by the President to foment civil disorder and muddy the waters.
“One can just pity their ignorance of Constitutional requirements, as the President has a window of 30 days within which to sign the Bill, or decline assent after it had been transmitted to him by the National Assembly.
“It is on record that the amended Bill was sent to the Presidency on January 31, 2022, which means that the Executive could do due diligence on it till March 1, as prescribed by the Constitution.
“A proposed legislation that has to do with the electoral fortunes of the country needs to be thoroughly scrutinised, and be made as near-perfect as possible.
“Those playing cheap politics with it are, therefore, encouraged to hold their peace, knowing that the right thing will be done within the lawful time.”