The Senate on Wednesday rejected President Muhammdu Buhari’s Bill seeking to amend section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act, 2021 which prevents appointive political office holders from contesting for election from party primary level without resigning.
Recall that the President while signing the electoral act into law had asked 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 purpose of the nomination of any candidate for an election.
In the letter, he said the amendment is necessary as the clause constitutes a fundamental defect and leads to the disenfranchisement of political officeholders.
The request was however rejected after the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC Kebbi North) made the lead debate for the second reading of the bill on Wednesday.
The Senators kicked against it and voted no when put to voice votes by the Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
