The House of Representatives at its plenary on Wednesday 19th January 2022, amended the electoral act (amendment bill 2021) to accommodate indirect primaries as an alternative procedure for nominating the candidates of political parties for elective positions.
The law makers unanimously amended clause 84(2) of the bill which initially recognized only direct primaries as the method for selecting party candidate; the new amendment now accommodates both direct and indirect methods.
It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari refused to assent to the bill in December 2021 because of the perceived high cost of conducting direct primaries by political parties and prevailing security challenges in the Country.
The Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila while speaking at the session clarified that every other provision of the bill as earlier passed remained the same except the clause 84(2) which has been amended to address the President’s refusal to assent the bill.
He further noted that the procedure for nomination of candidates by political parties for various elective positions shall be by direct primaries which will allow political parties choose the procedure for nomination of candidates for elective positions.
Olalere Taiwo
For Head of press,
Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters.
