President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law has reportedly angered some senators who have vowed to “do something about it”.
The aggrieved senators are talking tough and already compiling a list in the chamber presumably to override the president, Guardian reported on Wednesday.
Senator George Sekibo (PDP River East) told newsmen that some senators are planning to veto President Buhari on the electoral bill.
He said they have compiled 73 signatures to veto the President. The 109-member Senate will require a two-thirds majority to veto the bill into law.
Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Abba Moro, gave the assurance that the majority of senators, including himself, are prepared this time around to override the president.
Buhari had written to inform the National Assembly that he rejected the bill based on a provision to impose direct primaries on political parties, among others.
The presidency, spokesman Femi Adesina said, believes that the provision could harm Nigeria’s democracy as each political party should be allowed to conduct primary elections according to its constitution.
The executive arm of government also argued that conducting multiple direct primary elections, that require thousands and millions of party members to vote, under the current climate of insecurity could result in physical harm.
The senators are, however, not buying it. They were supposed to go a recess but are reportedly making arrangements to put rest aside until they override the president. Buhari’s political rivals say the “rubber stamp” lawmakers are too weak and compromised to challenge the president.
