The Young Progressive Party says the signing of the Electoral Bill 2022 into law by President Muhammadu Buhari is a major national relief that is worthy of commendation despite all the behind the scenes drama by enemies of democracy disguising as democrats to frustrate every attempt to strengthen our electoral system.
The party in a signed statement by it’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Egbeola Wale Martins said the feat, which came at a great cost will no doubt help to sanitize our electoral process, ensure transparency, promote inclusivity, reduce the incidence of electoral fraud and voter apathy.
The Opposition Party commended all the critical stakeholders, especially the civil society organizations, media organizations and leaders of thought who were dogged in the place of advocacy to ensure we got to a breaking point where President Muhamadu Buhari and the APC had no choice but to accede to the one-point demand of Nigerians to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.
It further noted that it is not yet Uhuru as there is still much to be done to ensure the Nation harvest from the potential gains of the 2022 Electoral Act since same didn’t effectively address the problems of vote-buying, ignorance and poverty.
The YPP however called on Nigerians especially the youths to take advantage of the new Electoral Act to re-establish confidence in the electoral process by trooping out en mass to register in the ongoing voter’s registration exercise, rally support for visionary candidates and come out on election day to vote as it is almost now a certainty that our votes will count.
Martins applauded the National Assembly for its role in ensuring the 2022 Electoral Act became reality, we once more beckon on same to as a matter of urgent National importance revisit and do justice to the valid observation raised by Mr President in Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, which conflicts with the extant constitutional provisions.
“we call on INEC to immediately set in motion all that is needed for the conduct of a peaceful, transparent and credible general election in 2023 using the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun States governorship elections as a test run” he added.
