By Chesa Chesa
President Muhammadu Buhari says he constitutionally has up till March 1, 2022 to give or deny his assent to the Electoral Bill submitted to him by the National Assembly on January 31st, 2022.
He has therefore warned those using the excuse of what they term as delay in his signing the document to foment trouble and undue heating up of the polity, to desist forthwith.
Stating this position through his spokesman, Femi Adesina, on Monday, the President said he needed time to thoroughly scrutinize an important document like that, and that time was still on his side.
A statement issued by Adesina, said: “Some interest groups are cashing in on what they consider a delay in the signing of the Electoral Bill into law by the President to foment civil disorder and muddy the waters.
“One can just pity their ignorance of Constitutional requirements, as the President has a window of 30 days within which to sign the Bill, or decline assent, after it had been transmitted to him by the National Assembly.
“It is on record that the amended Bill was sent to the Presidency on January 31, 2022, which means that the Executive could do due diligence on it till March 1, as prescribed by the Constitution.
“A proposed legislation that has to do with the electoral fortunes of the country needs to be thoroughly scrutinized, and be made as near-perfect as possible.
“Those playing cheap politics with it are, therefore, encouraged to hold their peace, knowing that the right thing will be done within the lawful time.”
