Abuja—President Muhammadu Buhari has written a letter to the Nigerian Senate, seeking an amendment of section 84 (2) subsection 12 in the 2021 Electoral Act.
According to reports by Channels TV, President Buhari wants the National Assembly to amend section 84 (2) Subsection 12 which states that no political appointee shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the nomination of any candidate for an election.
The president in the letter stated that the amendment is necessary as that particular provision in the Electoral Act denies political office holders from exercising their civic right of voting or being voted for at conventions or congresses of any political party.
He maintained that the section constitutes a breach or violation of the right of the serving political class.
Buhari stressed that the provision introduced qualification and disqualification criteria that violate the Constitution by way of importing blanket restrictions to serving political officeholders.
Meanwhile, President Buhari February 25 signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law. However, during the signing, he faulted Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2022.