Electoral Act 2022: Senate disagree with Buhari, rejects request to delete clause disenfranchising appointees

Technocrat Media, Abuja

The upper chamber of the national assembly has rejected the request of President Muhammadu Buhari seeking the deletion of a clause in newly signed electoral act 2022.

Senators rejected president’s bill through a voice vote on Wednesday when it was to be read for a second time.

Last Month, Mr Buhari while signing the new electoral act amendment bill into law, he said clause 84 (12) disenfranchises political appointees.

He later sent a formal request to the national assembly for it to delete the clause.

Majority of the senators who contributed to the debate on the bill, kicked against the new request for amendment by the president.

Enyinnaya Abaribe, the minority of the senate, said it was not in the interest of democracy.

“I urge my colleagues not to allow this bill be read the second time,” Mr Abaribe said.

Ovie Omo-Agege, the deputy president of the senate, who spoke in support of the president’s request said told his colleagues to allow the bill to scale.

“The framers of this constitution knew that a day like this would come and notwithstanding, they clearly stipulated in the constitution, those provisions dealing with qualification and disqualification,” Omo-Agege said.

“I therefore rise to support that the motion as moved by the senate leader be allowed to go for second reading.”