A Group under the aegis of Unified Nigerian Youth Forum (UNYF), has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the electoral Act amendment bill into law, saying it would bring visible significant changes into Nigeria’s electoral space.
President of the Forum, Abdulsalam Kazeem, said this in a statement signed and made available to journalists on Friday in Kaduna.
Kazeem said the decision of President Buhari to sign the electoral bill into law came lately, however better than when he declined.
“This act is commendable, we believe and hope that history will be fair to him on this singular act. The said bill will bring a-lot of significant visible changes into our entire electoral space,” he said.
He noted that the new bill which featured the electronics transmission of results, compulsory usage of card readers, making provision for people living with disabilities and special needs, is specifically commendable and would translate into path towards a greater democracy.
He added that the resignation of political offices holders before the conduct of party primaries at least 180 days before the general election, is also a path towards ending abuse of power of incumbency to the detriment of democracy.
Kazeem reiterated that the clauses introduced in the bill is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democracy at all levels and to equally bring to a complete and logical end all forms of party manipulations that always try to undermine the institution saddled with responsibilities of conducting election in Nigeria.
He noted that the signing of electoral bill into law would help the Independent Electoral National Commission (INEC) to review results previously declared under duress.
“Nigerians can now be optimistic of having credible elections in 2023,” Kazeem said.