2023: Kalu charges Buhari to sign into law amended electoral bill on statutory delegates
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Former governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has urged president Muhamadu Buhari to sign into law the amended electoral bill on statutory delegates.
Kalu in a statement which a copy was made available to Eculaw News said, the position that the federal lawmakers took was in line with the wishes of Nigerians.
The bill if signed into law by president Muhamadu Buhari, will allow statutory delegates to vote in political parties conventions and congresses.
Kalu however said, by signing the bill into law, history will be kind to Buhari for the significant role he has played in reforming the electoral system for the good of all.
The statement read, “I am appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), to sign into law the Amended Bill seeking to enable statutory delegates to vote at the conventions and congresses of political parties which has been passed into law by both the Senate and House of Representatives.
“The position that the federal lawmakers took was in line with the wishes of the majority of Nigerians that they represent.
“Section 84 (8) of the 2022 Electoral Act reads: “A political party that adopts the system of indirect primaries for the choice of its candidate shall clearly outline in its constitution and rule the procedure for the democratic election of delegates to vote at the convention, congress or meeting.”
“With the bill now passed, the aforementioned section is now amended to include statutory delegates.
“As you know, the Constitution recognises a set of people as statutory or automatic delegates and most constitutions of the parties recognize that. People like Mr. President, former governors, NASS members etc. Through judicial interactions, we have found out there is a missing link in 84(8) of the Amended Electoral Act.
“It will disinfranchise people who ordinarily should be automatic delegates. That’s why in the wisdom of the Senate and House of Representatives, there was a little restructuring towards the end of that particular subsection 8 to add to statutory delegates already prescribed in the constitution of the parties. Section 84(8) has been amended to accommodate more people who would have been disinfranchised.
“History will be kind to President Buhari as the man who reformed our electoral system for the good of all.”
