A Coalition of Civil Society Organizations have expressed worry over the continuous delay by President Mohammadu Buhari to ascent to the Electoral Amendment Bill.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on behalf of the Coalition, the convener of the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Ene Obi said even if provision of the law gives the president 30 days to assent or withhold assent to a bill, their agitation is to enable the Independent National Electoral Commission work within the stipulated timeframe for issuance of notice for the 2023 general elections on 22nd of February 2022 and maintain dates earlier released for the conduct of the polls.
The Coalition raised fears that any further delay on the part of the President would certainly occasion logistical, financial, and programmatic difficulties that could threaten the integrity of the off-cycle elections in Ekiti, Osun, and the 2023 general polls.
Indicating concerns that President Buhari had refused to sign the proposed amendments to the nation’s electoral laws on five occasions, the Group made recommendations including the need for the electoral amendment bill to be signed on or before 22nd February 2022.
The 23 civil society organizations that make up the coalition threatened to embark on a protest if the president don’t yield to their demands which they believe would be a major lasting legacy of his administration.
