The President Muhammadu Buhari administration has accused some groups of cashing-in on what they considered its delay in the signing of the Electoral Act (amendment) Bill to cause civil unrest, while maintaining that there is no cause for alarm.
The Presidency, which made the allegation in a statement on Monday amidst speculations in some media outlets that Buhari was likely to sign the Bill into law yesterday, called those arguing that the President had delayed signing the Bill as ignorant.
According to the statement, Buhari has until March 1st to either assent the Bill or reject it, and therefore, will make a decision within that time frame.
In the statement posted via Twitter, titled: “Assent to Electoral Bill: No Need For Saber-Rattling”, the presidency 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 forment 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 hid 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, 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 scrutinised, 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”.
