The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, amended Section 84 (8) of the Electoral Act 2022, which had earlier barred all statutory delegates from voting in party primary elections ahead of the 2023 general elections
The amendment will now empower then to vote at party congresses and conventions
Statutory delegates include councillors, local government chairmen and vice chairmen, political party chairmen in all the 774 Local Government Areas, state and federal lawmakers, governors and their deputies, president and vice president, political parties’ National Working Committee members, state party chairmen and secretaries.
The amendment followed a bill sponsored by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege during plenary, which the senate considered on Tuesday.
The amendment will allow statutory delegates, in addition to the delegates elected by various political parties, vote during congresses and conventions to elect candidates for various political offices.
Speaking after passing the bill, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said the “unintended clause” had to be amended before commencement of party primaries.
He said the House of Representatives would also pass the same amendment on Wednesday before transmitting it to the president for assent latest next week.
He said the amendment had become imperative to ensure that no one is denied his rights during political parties’ activities.
