Delete clause in electoral act disenfranchising’ political appointees, Buhari tells n’assembly

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the national assembly to expunge section 84 (12) of the electoral act of 2022 because it disenfranchises serving political officers.

According to the section, “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

At the signing of the electoral bill into law in Abuja on Friday, Buhari said the provision is in conflict with the country’s constitution.

The president said the constitution already protects the right of serving political officers to vote in their party’s function as provided for in sections 40 and 42.

“Section 84 (12) constitutes a disenfranchisement of serving political office holders from voting or being voted for at conventions or congresses of any political party, for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election in cases where it holds earlier than 30 days to the national election,” he said.

“This provision has introduced qualification and disqualification criteria that ultra vires the constitution by way of importing blanket restriction and disqualification to serving political office holders of which they are
constitutionally accorded protection.

“The practical application of section 84(12) of the electoral bill, 2022 will, if assented to, by operation of law, subject serving political office holders to inhibitions and restrictions referred to under section 40 and 42 of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

“It is imperative to note that the only constitutional expectation placed on serving political office holders that qualify, by extension as public officers within the context of the constitution is resignation, withdrawal or retirement at least 30 days before the date of the election.

“Arising from the foregoing, with particular regards to the benefits of the bill, industry, time, resources and energy committed in its passage, I hereby assent to the bill and request the nationally assembly to consider immediate amendments that will bring the Bill in tune with constitutionality by way of deleting section 84(12) accordingly.”